Stop Inviting Dictators To NBA Conferences -Falana

Human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has accused the Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA) of a major misstep for inviting former Liberian President George Weah to speak at its 66th Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Falana said the invitation was wrong because Weah’s administration, between 2018 and 2024, allegedly undermined judicial independence in Liberia and ignored judgments of the ECOWAS Court.

The senior lawyer made the remarks in a video posted on the NBA’s YouTube channel on Monday, a day after Weah delivered the keynote address at the conference held under the theme “Beyond Limits.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, I’m delighted to be here. But let me say this, because you know I have to be frank with the audience. And this goes for the leadership of the Bar. I want to appeal that the Bar Association must stop—stop inviting dictators in Africa to come and address us,” he said.

The senior advocate urged the NBA leadership to be more deliberate in choosing speakers. He suggested leaders like the President, Vice President and Speaker of Namibia, who are all women, and Nigeria’s late Obafemi Awolowo as examples of leaders worthy of invitation.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has presented a recognition award to social media influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, during its ongoing 2026 Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The award was presented to Otse on Tuesday after he participated as a panellist at the conference, where he shared his experiences on insecurity and other issues affecting the country.

Presenting the award, the moderator, on behalf of the NBA president and members, said the association appreciated Otse for being present at the conference and sharing his experiences with the participants.

“On behalf of the president and members of the Nigeria Association, I present this award to be here with us and share your own experience. But please, when you are attacked, don’t kill. Report to the police.”