Former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott Criticizes LNBA President in Law Day Address
Monrovia, Liberia – A Strong Rebuke Over Judicial Independence
In a powerful keynote speech during Liberia’s Law Day observance, former Chief Justice Cllr. Gloria Musu Scott delivered a sharp critique of the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) President’s public condemnation of a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Defending Judicial Integrity
Speaking at the International Law Day ceremony in Congo Town, Cllr. Scott expressed deep concern about what she described as the growing politicization of the legal profession and its potential to undermine Liberia’s judiciary.
“With all due respect,” she stated, “such a statement from the sitting LNBA President is not only inappropriate but deeply troubling.”
The Role of the Legal Profession
The former Chief Justice emphasized that the Bar Association should serve as a pillar supporting judicial independence rather than a source of public dissent. She warned that such criticism risks eroding public trust in Liberia’s legal system and threatens the Supreme Court’s constitutional role.
Using a Liberian proverb, Cllr. Scott accused the LNBA leadership of hypocrisy: “You cannot dress the devil in private and undress it in public.”
Timing and Forum Concerns
Cllr. Scott questioned why the LNBA President chose to voice concerns publicly after the Court’s decision rather than through proper legal channels during the proceedings.
“The Constitution does not speak for itself—the Court speaks on its behalf,” she reminded attendees. “And we, as lawyers, are the mouthpiece of the law.”
Warning Against Political Entanglement
The former Chief Justice cautioned that the Bar Association’s involvement in partisan politics could transform it from a guardian of legal ethics into a political entity—contrary to Liberia’s legal framework.
Call for Professional Unity
Concluding her address, Cllr. Scott urged legal professionals to uphold justice, integrity, and institutional respect: “Let us lead by example—not in division, but in unity under the rule of law.”
National Debate Sparked
The remarks have ignited widespread discussion among Liberia’s legal and civic communities about balancing professional critique with institutional loyalty in a constitutional democracy.
As the nation reflected on justice and accountability during Law Day, Cllr. Scott’s speech highlighted the delicate relationship between legal professionals and judicial institutions.