Cllr. Varmah, an international trade lawyer with more than two decades of legal advocacy experience, assumes the role following the resignation of former WABA President Ousmane Bouba Traore, who stepped down for personal reasons. Traore, who also heads the Malian Bar Association, cited conflicting responsibilities, including his leadership of a Francophone legal coalition, for his departure.

In an exclusive interview with OK FM in Monrovia, Varmah called the appointment a “victory” not only for Liberia’s legal community but for the entire country. “It is the first time Liberia is now heading a sub-regional professional membership organization,” he said. “It validates the work we’ve done nationally and signals our emergence in the community of nations.”

Founded in 2003, the West African Bar Association was born out of a need to protect judicial independence and promote legal professionalism in a region too often rattled by political instability, authoritarian rule, and human rights abuses. With headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, WABA serves as a watchdog for the rule of law across the 15 ECOWAS member states, frequently weighing in on democratic backsliding, judicial corruption, and access to justice.

Under Varmah’s interim leadership, WABA faces a mounting list of challenges. Across the Sahel, where countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have exited the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), democratic norms are eroding. In his interview, Varmah expressed particular concern about these developments.

“We are concerned about the ECOWAS Court of Justice—its decisions are not being honored. We are concerned about terrorism in the Sahel. We are concerned about democracy as a whole in West Africa,” he said, highlighting his intention to push for stronger adherence to legal frameworks across the region.

Varmah also signaled plans to engage with bar associations and governments throughout West Africa to ensure that “access to justice and the rule of law is enhanced.” His tenure, he said, would be rooted in collaboration and advocacy—principles shaped by his years of legal activism in Liberia.

The transition at WABA comes at a time when civil society across West Africa is increasingly under pressure. Military coups, electoral manipulation, and weakened judicial systems threaten the democratic gains made in the post-conflict decades.

Though currently serving in an acting capacity, Varmah is expected to lead until WABA convenes its next general meeting in Nigeria, where a formal leadership decision will be made.

Whether Liberia’s turn at the helm will translate into stronger regional cohesion remains to be seen. But for now, Cllr. Varmah’s appointment is being celebrated as a milestone for a nation long rebuilding its legal and democratic institutions after years of civil war.

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For decades, the Judiciary—one of the three branches of government—has operated without financial oversight, raising concerns about mismanagement and misconduct. Legal experts and anti-corruption advocates warn that the absence of financial scrutiny undermines Liberia’s fight against corruption and weakens public trust in the legal system.

“Financial autonomy must come with responsible stewardship to ensure resources are properly used to strengthen the justice system, improve access to justice, and boost public confidence in the Judiciary,” Cllr. Varmah stated.

A History of Limited Oversight

Liberia has long struggled with corruption in various levels of government, often ranking poorly on international transparency indices. While the Executive and Legislative branches have undergone audits—albeit inconsistently—the Judiciary has remained exempt from financial reviews. Calls for oversight have emerged in the past, but no formal audit has ever been conducted.

The Executive has been audited frequently, but it was only recently that the Senate of the Legislature went through a systemic audit. The House of Representatives has yet to undergo an audit. The LNBA President noted that despite receiving budgetary allocations, the Judiciary has lacked stringent financial oversight, periodic auditing, and adherence to best financial management practices. He warned that this lack of transparency raises serious concerns about potential mismanagement of resources.

As the institution responsible for interpreting and enforcing laws, the Judiciary should lead by example in matters of financial accountability. Critics argue that its opaque financial practices allow inefficiencies and corruption to persist unchecked. If implemented, an audit would mark a significant step forward in strengthening Liberia’s governance framework.

International Reports on Judicial Corruption

International organizations have repeatedly raised concerns about corruption within Liberia’s judiciary, reinforcing the need for financial accountability. According to Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), Liberia has consistently ranked poorly on global transparency indices. In 2023, the country scored 29 out of 100, placing it 137th out of 180 countries—indicating a high level of perceived corruption, particularly within public institutions like the judiciary.

Transparency International highlights bribery, inefficiency, and political interference as key issues undermining the legal system’s credibility. Similarly, the World Bank’s Governance Indicators reveal persistent challenges in judicial independence and transparency, showing that weak oversight has allowed corruption to thrive unchecked.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has also noted that judicial systems without financial accountability are more susceptible to inefficiency and bribery. Liberia’s judiciary has been repeatedly criticized for its opaque financial practices and political interference, as highlighted in the UNODC’s Global Report on Corruption.

Furthermore, the African Development Bank has identified judicial corruption as a major obstacle to effective governance and development in Liberia. Its Governance Report calls for increased transparency and institutional oversight, particularly in the judiciary, which is often regarded as one of the most vulnerable sectors to corruption.

Concerns Over Access to Justice and Judicial Independence

Beyond financial accountability, counselor Varmah also raised concerns about access to justice, particularly following the Supreme Court’s recent decision to withdraw public defenders from magisterial courts. He warned that this move could “effectively deny justice to those who need it most” and place indigent defendants at a severe disadvantage.

“The right to a fair trial is enshrined in our laws and international commitments. Every accused person, regardless of financial status, deserves legal representation,” he said, urging immediate dialogue among stakeholders to address the issue.

The LNBA recommended that the government strengthen institutional support for pro bono legal services and reconsider the withdrawal of public defenders to ensure that justice remains fair and accessible to all citizens.

A Test for Accountability and Reform

Under Counselor Varmah’s leadership, the LNBA is now calling on the General Auditing Commission (GAC) and other relevant authorities to conduct a full financial audit of the Judiciary. Legal analysts argue that such an audit would not only enhance transparency but also serve as a key test of Liberia’s commitment to institutional reform.

This push for accountability comes at a critical time as Liberia continues its post-war reconstruction and efforts to strengthen governance. In recent years, international partners and civil society organizations have pressured the government to take stronger measures against corruption, with a focus on financial integrity across all branches of government.

Counselor Varmah reaffirmed the Bar Association’s commitment to collaborating with the Judiciary to strengthen legal ethics, judicial independence, and procedural reforms. He also commended Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh for visiting magisterial courts across the country to assess challenges but stressed that meaningful reforms must follow such efforts.

“Reforming the Judiciary is not just about structural or procedural changes; it is about restoring public trust, strengthening judicial independence, and ensuring that justice is delivered fairly and efficiently,” he stated.

The Judiciary’s response to these calls remains to be seen. However, Counselor Varmah’s statement adds to the growing pressure for greater accountability in one of Liberia’s most powerful institutions.

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