By Grace Q. Bryant
The Criminal Court “B” Judge Karboi K. Nuta has given the former Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) boss Ndubuisi Nwabudike a full-fledged citizenship for Liberia with all the rights and privileges appertaining.
The court noted that Cllr. Nwabudike have taken the Oath of Allegiance of the Republic of Liberia wherein he has relinquished all allegiance of the Republic from whence his father comes.
Adding, “You are under Oath that you will bear arms for our Republic when required by law to do so and that you will uphold the laws and Constitution of Liberia.”
“Wherefore and in view of the foregoing, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Resident Circuit Judge of this court, I do hereby now declare you a full-fledged citizen of the Republic of Liberia with all the rights and privileges appertaining thereto. And it is hereby so ordered. Let me now welcome you as our newest citizen and congratulations,” the court ruled.
The court’s decision was based on the ruling made by the Supreme Court requesting the Minister of Justice to carry on an investigation on Cllr. Nwabudike as to whether he is a citizen or not.
Based on the investigation made by the Justice Ministry in a communication stated they have determined that Cllr. Nwabudike is eligible to apply for certificate of citizenship nunc pro tunc, consistent with section 21.31(2) of the Alien and Nationality laws of Liberia.
According to the investigation report noted that Cllr. Nwabudike’s eligibility is supported by the records of the Liberia Immigration Service which established that his father acquired naturalization in 1954, prior to his birth in 1963.
Justice Ministry maintained, “Our determination is pursuance to section 21.31(1&2) and 21.50(f) of the Alien and Nationality law of Liberia.”
However, the Court noted that the matter was heard and determined with Cllr. Nwabudike meeting all requirements for the administration of the Oath of Allegiance that is the payment of US$ 600 in fulfillment.
For the part of the government, after the cross-examination process with the suspended Lawyer together with his witnesses and seeing them fit and consistent with the Alien and Nationality Laws of Liberia, they interposed no objection to his petition which duly qualified him to be a legitimate citizen of Liberia.
