By Grace Q. Bryant
The Liberia National Bar Association ( LNBA) over the weekend elected new officers and those elected are; Cllr. Sylvester Rennie, president; Cllr. Jamal C. Dehtho, vice president; Cllr. Bornor Varmah, secretary general and Cllr. B. Rachell Yabah-Duobah, national treasurer.
While the defeated candidates are Cllr. J. A Lynch, Luther Yarfee, Cllr. Lamii Kpargoi, Cllr. Bobby Livingstone, Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu, Cllr. Alhaji Swagho Sesay, Abraham B. Sillah and Atty Mameita Jabateh Sirleaf.
Elections Commissioner Cyril Jones explained that the total amount of lawyers that voted were 476 and that there were 21 invalid votes.
The elected president Rennie has assured lawyers that they will have an exclusive government and also urged lawyers to service the bar along with him for the next three years.
He revealed that he and his team will beautify the Liberian National bar Association.
Meanwhile, one of the defeated candidates, Cllr. Sillah termed the exercise as one intended to provide services to the members, adding that he remains committed to provide services to the Bar.
“I congratulate the president elect and pledge to provide our support to the Bar so they can rely on us,” he explained adding that they must be able to participate in such process in order to bring credibility to the exercise.
He also thanked everyone who supported him including those that did not support him, adding that they should continue to work and provide the kind of services the Bar needs to make it a stronger institution.
The newly elected Secretary General, Cllr. Varmah appreciated members of the LNBA for electing him to the bar emphasizing, “We will do what is required. We want to see a rebust secretariat of the Bar. We also want to see our members being dignified and everyone having a role to play in running the affairs of the Bar,” he urged.
He also thanked the media for the hardwork in assuring that the secretariat will work along with the media to disseminate information and activities of the Bar.
Meanwhile, the new elected vice president, Jehthol is calling on the National Executive Council and all members of the LNBA to ensure transformation at the Bar into very infective and rebrand the Association to reach out to the public and create a different impression of the legal profession in Liberia.
“As we all know the structure of government is with the national vice president and all elected officials and Executive Council of the Bar will be able to push the agenda of the bar,” Cllr. Jehthol noted.