The Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA) has called for calm and restraint across the country as the Supreme Court prepares to rule in a politically sensitive case involving House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and members of the Majority Bloc of the House of Representatives. The case, brought by Representative Richard Koon and his colleagues from the Minority Bloc, has attracted widespread public interest and stirred political tensions in recent weeks.
In a statement released on Friday, April 11, and signed by its National President, Cllr. Bornor M. Varmah, the LNBA emphasized that all parties must respect the rule of law and the independence of the Judiciary. The association urged citizens, political leaders, and their supporters to remain peaceful and avoid actions that could inflame the situation or undermine confidence in the country’s legal institutions.
“The Judiciary must be given the space to render its decision free of pressure, intimidation, or undue influence from any quarter,” the LNBA stated, warning against inflammatory rhetoric and politically charged threats from both sides of the aisle.
The Bar Association further condemned any plan or act of violence, cautioning that disagreement with the Supreme Court’s decision, once issued, must be expressed through peaceful and lawful means. “While every citizen has the right to dissent, that dissent must be constructive and in full respect of the law,” the statement added.
Amid ongoing speculation about possible interference from the Executive Branch in the pending court decision, the LNBA reaffirmed the constitutional principle of separation of powers and urged the public not to jump to premature conclusions that could damage the court’s credibility. It noted that any proven attempt to interfere with the judiciary would be met with strong opposition from the legal community.
The LNBA also reminded all Liberians that the country’s peace and democratic stability rely on respecting judicial processes and decisions. It pledged to continue monitoring the situation and to defend the integrity of the Supreme Court, warning that it will speak out forcefully if there is credible evidence of constitutional violations or manipulation of the legal system.
