Pres. Boakai Appoints LNBA President Bornor Varmah as Chair of Law Reform Commission

MONROVIA – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has nominated prominent legal practitioner and President of the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA), Cllr. Bornor M. Varmah, as the new Chairperson of the Law Reform Commission (LRC). The appointment is part of a series of new nominations across key government institutions aimed at enhancing good governance, accountability, and legal reform.

In the same vein, Cllr. Massa Jallabah has been named as Commissioner of the Law Reform Commission, replacing Cllr. Ruth Jappah Samukai, who has transitioned to the Central Bank of Liberia as Chief Legal Counsel.

Cllr. Varmah replaces former LRC Chairperson, Cllr. Boakai N. Kanneh, who now serves as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia.

The nominations were announced in an Executive Mansion statement released this week, emphasizing the Boakai administration’s commitment to strengthening public institutions and delivering impactful governance. The President expressed confidence that the nominees will serve with “integrity, loyalty, and dedication” and urged the Liberian Senate to confirm the appointments upon return from its constituency break.

Who is Cllr. Bornor M. Varmah?

Cllr. Bornor M. Varmah, widely regarded as a champion for justice and governance, currently leads the Liberia National Bar Association. A seasoned legal expert, he has served in various leadership roles, including Vice President and Acting President of the West Africa Bar Association (WABA), and Secretary General of the LNBA.

Born on May 22, 1971, in Bopolu City, Gbarpolu County, Cllr. Varmah began practicing law in 2010. Over the years, he has emerged as a leading voice in legal reforms and policy development, both locally and across the region.

His recent roles include serving as National Legal Consultant for Winrock International’s Enforcement Training Program on forced labor and trafficking in persons, as well as a legal strategist for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), where he developed a five-year strategic plan for the Liberia National Commission on Small Arms.

Cllr. Varmah holds a Master of Laws in International Trade Law from the University of Turin (2019) and has received multiple certifications in governance and the rule of law.

In 2014, he served as Senior Policy Analyst at the Governance Commission, where he helped lead key reforms in legal frameworks across various ministries and agencies. He also worked with the Ministry of Justice to improve pre-trial detention processes and combat gender-based violence.

Regionally, he has represented Liberia on the ECOWAS Committee of Experts, focusing on labor and social security issues.

Who is Cllr. Massa Jallabah?

Born on September 11, 1982, Cllr. Massa Jallabah is a graduate of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law at the University of Liberia. She also holds a degree in Criminology and Justice Studies from The College of New Jersey, USA.

Cllr. Jallabah has served in both current and past administrations. Most recently, in March 2024, President Boakai nominated her as Deputy Minister for Administration and Public Safety at the Ministry of Justice. However, she was later relieved of the post and replaced by Cllr. Cora Hare Konuwa. While the Executive Mansion did not give official reasons, sources within the Ministry attributed the move to reported disagreements between her and Justice Minister Oswald N. Tweh.

Despite the setback, Cllr. Jallabah continued to serve within the Ministry of State, working under the guidance of Minister of State Without Portfolio, Mamakai Bility.

Previously, under President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s administration, she was appointed to the Office of the Ombudsman, but her nomination drew public criticism and was later withdrawn due to her not meeting the minimum age requirement of 40 years. She was then replaced by Elizabeth Hoff, former Deputy Minister for Technical Services at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism.

Jallabah has also worked as a legal consultant at the Ministry of Lands, Mines, and Energy, and brings a wealth of public sector legal experience to her new role.

If confirmed by the Senate, Cllr. Jallabah will oversee the Gender and Human Rights Department of the Law Reform Commission, while Cllr. Varmah will lead oversight of Statutes, Legislation, and International Protocols.

Other Key Appointments Announced

In addition to the LRC nominations, President Boakai also made several other key appointments, including at the Governance Commission, the Local Government of Margibi County, and the National Food Assistance Agency (NFAA).

“These appointments, where applicable, are subject to confirmation by the Liberian Senate,” the Executive Mansion noted.

See below the full list:

I. Law Reform Commission (LRC)

1. Cllr. Bornor M. Varmah – Chairman

2. Cllr. Massa Jallabah – Commissioner

II. Governance Commission

3. Mr. Matthew Ballah Kollie, Jr. – Commissioner, National Integrity System

III. Local Government of Margibi County

1. Rev. John W. Smith, City Mayor, Marshall City

IV. National Food Assistance Agency (NFAA) Board

1. Ministry of Agriculture, Chair

2. Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Co-chair

3. Ministry of Education, Member

4. Ministry of Commerce, Member

5. Ministry of Internal Affairs, Member

6. General Services Agency, Member

7. Liberia Chamber of Commerce, Member

8. Liberia Marketing Association, Member

9. National Food Assistance Agency, Executive Director, Secretary to the Board

Meanwhile, President Boakai states that these nominations are intended to support the Government’s goals of effective governance, accountability, and community-focused leadership.