MONROVIA — Two Liberian lawyers face possible disbarment this year after the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) confirmed they are not in good standing for 2025 due to unpaid license fees and related dues totaling US$360, according to LNBA records. The development intersects with a high-stakes civil dispute involving Activa International Insurance and Citadel Mining Services, clouding a case that has drawn scrutiny over legal ethics, licensing compliance, and the handling of court-ordered judgments.
Counselors Benedict Sannoh and A. Ndubuisi Nwabudike, both senior figures with the Sannoh & Partners firm, are named in the LNBA notification, which was issued as part of the association’s routine attestation process requested by the International Law Group — the legal firm representing Hans Armstrong, a British national seeking US$430,920 in connection with a July 14, 2025 judgment. The LNBA letter, dated October 3, 2025 and addressed to Cllr. Amara Sheriff, states plainly that the two counsels “are not in Good Standing with the LNBA and as such, are not licensed lawyers for 2025.” If Judge James Jones eventually disqualifies them from further representation in the Activa matter, the development could complicate proceedings already unfolding over enforcement of the judgment.
Context and case background
The civil dispute centers on Activa International Insurance, Citadel Mining Services (a Ghanaian subcontractor operating under Western Cluster), and a judgment that prompted a motion to enforce a $430,920 liability. The International Law Group has been pursuing recovery on behalf of Hans Armstrong, a British national, in a separate but related action.
Court actions surrounding Citadel Mining’s equipment and contractual disputes have featured indemnity bonds and stays. A July 14, 2025 judgment triggered subsequent legal maneuvering, including a request to lift stays on equipment and to hold Activa liable for the monetary amount.
The LNBA’s finding that Sannoh and Nwabudike are not licensed for 2025 raises the prospect of disqualification from practice in ongoing proceedings, potentially affecting Activa’s ability to pursue relief through their representation.
Legal and Ethical Dimensions
Licensing and professional conduct: Liberia’s rules require active licensure for lawyers to practice, with formal processes for maintaining “good standing” with the LNBA. The October 3 letter underscores the association’s role in ensuring credentialing alongside ongoing litigation.
Potential impact on the case:
If Judge Jones accepts the LNBA’s position, pleadings and filings by Sannoh and Nwabudike could be considered nullities or require substitution, possibly delaying enforcement actions and altering strategic dynamics for Activa. Historical context: The case sits at the intersection of licensing compliance, court-administrative authority, and the broader question of how licensure status intersects with high-stakes commercial litigation involving multinational clients and local firms.
