The Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Law Reform Commission (LRC), Cllr. Bornor M. Varmah, will this weekend, beginning Friday, in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, lead the technical review of the World and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) Bill at a scheduled high-level Legal Legislative Dialogue.
The Office of the War and Economic Crimes of Liberia (OWECC-L), under the leadership of Dr. Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu (Prof.), has extended an invitation to the LRC Chair/CEO, Cllr. Varmah, to serve as lead facilitator for the technical review of the World and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) Bill.
According to the OWECC-L, it is its responsibility to provide technical guidance and consultation to the Legislature in their consideration of the two draft laws for the establishment of the WECC and the National Anti-Corruption Court (NACC); it has therefore planned a high-level technical review of the bills with the standing committees of both Houses in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, beginning Thursday and ending on Saturday.
The topic, “Technical review of the WECC Bill”, is designed to delve into the crux of the draft law on establishing the War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia. Law Reform Commission Chairperson/CEO, Cllr. Bornor M. Varmah, will facilitate the dialogue, where he is expected to bring to bear his wealth of experience on this national engagement in honor of victims of the 14-year civil war and of corruption.
Liberia continues to make important strides toward strengthening accountability, justice, and democratic governance. Following years of advocacy by victims, survivors, civil society organizations, women groups, faith-based institutions, youth actors, and development partners, significant progress has been made toward addressing impunity and corruption through institutional and legislative reforms. These strides significantly support Liberia’s membership on the United Nations Security Council and its visible leadership in the international community.
The submission of the War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) Bill and the National Anti-Corruption Court (NACC) Bill to the Legislature by His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. signifies a historic milestone in Liberia’s justice and accountability journey. These bills represent important mechanisms for strengthening the rule of law, promoting justice for victims and survivors from the civil crises running from 1979 to 2003, combating corruption, and reinforcing citizens’ confidence in public institutions.
As part of the legislative process, the Senate Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights, Claims and Petition; Ways, Means, Finance and Budget; and Defense, Security and Intelligence and the House Committee on Judiciary play a central role in reviewing, scrutinizing, and making recommendations on these important bills prior to legislative consideration and passage.
Given the technical, constitutional, legal, and institutional implications of both proposed courts, there is a need to provide lawmakers serving on these committees with a dedicated platform for in-depth technical engagement, legal analysis, clarification, and reflection on the bills. Such engagement will support informed decision-making, strengthen legislative understanding, and ensure robust committee deliberations.
It is against this background that the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia (OWECC-L) is holding a two-day Technical Working Session in Buchanan City, Grand Bassa County, bringing together members of these Committees of both Houses of Legislature, technical legal experts, the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA), Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and OWECC-L technical staff.
