Monrovia – A fierce backlash has erupted within Liberia’s legal community after Cllr. Bornor M. Varmah, President of the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA), issued a controversial statement criticizing the Supreme Court’s intervention in the leadership dispute at the House of Representatives. The move has not only sparked a public internal revolt within the Bar but also intensified scrutiny over its political neutrality.

In an April 29 press release, Varmah argued that the Supreme Court overstepped its bounds by involving itself in the legislative conflict, calling the decision a violation of the Political Question Doctrine and a threat to the separation of powers. He asserted that disputes like the removal or reinstatement of a Speaker fall strictly within the Legislature’s authority.

The LNBA also challenged the Court’s interpretation of Articles 33 and 49 of the Constitution, questioning the ruling that Speaker J. Fonati Koffa was present and available for business during House sessions, despite concerns about quorum.

However, rather than unifying the legal fraternity, Varmah’s remarks exposed deep divisions within the Bar.

LNBA Vice President Cllr. F. Juah Lawson immediately distanced herself from the statement, calling it Varmah’s personal opinion rather than the Bar’s official stance. “I advised the President to consult the Executive Committee, but he didn’t listen,” she said.

The criticism deepened due to Varmah’s political ties—he was a 2017 legislative candidate for the Unity Party (UP). Critics now argue his leadership is tainted by partisanship.

Among the most vocal was Cllr. Moriah Yeakula-Kporpor, who described Varmah’s remarks as “ridiculous and squarely partisan,” and urged him to resign if he couldn’t separate his political interests from his role as Bar President. “We expect him to prioritize the sanctity of his office and uphold the Constitution,” she added.

Others echoed the concern. Former Senate Pro Tempore Atty. Armah Zolu Jallah emphasized that no branch of government is immune to constitutional scrutiny: “The judiciary must intervene when constitutional violations occur.”

Atty. Saifuah Mai Gray warned that Varmah’s suggestion to establish an independent mediation body to resolve legislative disputes undermines the authority of the judiciary. “Liberia is a country of laws, not negotiations,” she said, warning that this sets a “dangerous precedent.”

A senior legal figure, speaking anonymously, summed up the larger concern: “The Bar cannot afford to look like a political arm. If that line blurs, the foundation of our legal independence is at risk.”

The fallout is now being seen as more than a debate over constitutional interpretation—it has become a test of whether the Liberian National Bar Association can maintain its credibility as a nonpartisan professional body in the face of growing political influence.