IPNEWS: The Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA), has elected its new corps of officers for the three years.
Cllr. Syvester Rennie, emerged victorious with 218 votes over his near rival Cllr. Jallah Bardu, with 129 votes. Other contesting the Bar Presidency was Cllr. Abrahim Sillah with 114 votes followed by Β Cllr. Alhaji Swaliho Sasay, with 13 votes.
For the vice president position, Cllr. Jamal Dehtho with 250 votes, followed by Cllr. Bobby Livingstone with 215.
Cllr. Bornor Varmah got 294 votes, followed by Atty. Lami Kpargoi with 85 votes. Others in the Secretary category included Cllr. Jura Lynch netting 55 votes, while Cllr. Luther Yorfee with 41 votes.
For the treasury post, Cllr. Rachel Yabah-Doubah emerged victorious with 254 votes, while her near rival Atty. Mameita Jabateh-Sirleaf, got Β 212 votes.
It made be recalled ahead of Saturday, November 27 polls in Ganta, Nimba County, outgoing President of the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) Cllr. Tiawan, called for the adherence to the doctrine of self-reliance.
Cllr, Taiwan Gongloe hailed the convention committee including other legal luminaries who have broughtΒ the LNBA to prominence.
Ahead of yesterdayβs polls, Cllr. Jallah Barbiu, was highly tipped to be winner amidst massive campaign across various gatherings across Monrovia.
Cllr. Gongloe, upon his return from Gambia, Banjul last weekend at the invitation of the Gambia Bar, Association, Cllr. Gongloe stated that his trip in sisterly Republic was successful and bragged about these achievements for the LNBA over the last three years.
He indicated that he could not be the best judge to critique his own administration but when his leadership took over in late 2018, the Bar became more visible because every Liberian knew that the legal profession exists.
βWhen we took over the leadership of the LNBA, we made a promise that the Bar will be the legal counsel for the civil society, government and the business community and not a day passed without assuming that responsibility, but any leader who lower that will not stay thereβ said Gongloe.
The LNBA President emphasized the needΒ for self-reliance in the Bar; stating that, βPrevious leadership of the Bar used to beg for fund from NGOs to hold convention, but this is not happening now because one who controls the belly controls the mind.β
He stated that now the LNBA under his watch is raising fundsΒ on its own through license and other fees; something he said is helping the LNBA to maintain its independence. He noted that any lawyer practicing law in the country must have a license as a requirement, or else the lawyer will be barred and case dismissedΒ in any court in the country when it is known that a lawyer in question is practicing illegally.
According to Cllr Gongloe, license for lawyer will be the foremost requirement for any lawyer to vote in the Saturdayβs election.
On the issue of his trip to Gambia Gongloe stated that the trip was intended to review the draft law craftedΒ by Gambia lawyers intended to set up a court to prosecute those responsible for allegedly committing atrocities during the reign of former Gambia President Yaya Jameh.
He lauded Liberian lawyers, adding that the Gambia draft in establishing that war crime court was similar to the one Liberian lawyer prepared and submitted to the 54thΒ Legislature which calls for the establishment of a war crime court in Liberia.
