‘That’s My Calling’ -SG-Designate Sillah tells Senate Committee hearing

MONROVIA – Confirmation hearings in Liberia often reward deference. Cllr. Abrahim Boimah Sillah, Sr. arrived with a record instead. Some six weeks into the job as Acting Solicitor General, he told senators what he has already started. A strategic review now covers cases before Criminal Courts “A” through “E.” A 30/60/90-day prosecution plan promises measurable objectives. City Solicitors, many still unpaid, will get uniform standards. Yet his sharpest line cut against the government that nominated him. The salary harmonization policy, he warned, is driving experienced lawyers out of public service. That admission frames the real test. Reform plans need prosecutors to carry them out. The Senate must weigh both promise and warning. THE ANALYST reports,

Acting Solicitor General Cllr. Abrahim Boimah Sillah, Sr. has told the Liberian Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, Claims and Petitions that the duty of a prosecutor is not merely to secure convictions but to ensure that justice is done.

He made the declaration on Monday, October 26, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., when he appeared before the committee at the Capitol Building in Monrovia for his confirmation hearing.

Sillah addressed the committee’s chairman and members, other senators present, the Acting Minister of Justice and Attorney General, government officials, fellow Counsellors-at-Law and members of the press.

“I am deeply honored and humbled to appear before this distinguished Committee of the Honorable Liberian Senate for consideration of my nomination and appointment as Solicitor General of the Republic of Liberia,” he stated.

He expressed profound gratitude to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. for the confidence reposed in him through his nomination and appointment to serve as Acting Solicitor General, pending confirmation by the Senate.

He also acknowledged the leadership of the Acting Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Cllr. Betty M. Lamin-Blamo, with whom, he said, he has had the privilege of serving since September 10, 2026.

On a personal note, Sillah recognized his wife, Mrs. Hnede L. Berrian-Sillah, and his family for their unwavering love, patience, encouragement and sacrifices throughout his professional journey.

He was equally grateful, he noted, to his mentor, Cllr. T. Negbalee, with whom he had the privilege of working at Heritage Partners & Associates, LLC, for his invaluable mentorship, professional guidance and contribution to his development as a lawyer.

Seventeen years in law

Sillah told the committee that his professional journey has been shaped by academic preparation, practical legal experience, public service and a longstanding commitment to the administration of justice.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice Administration and Political Science from the African Methodist Episcopal Zion University College and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, University of Liberia, in 2009.

He was admitted to the Montserrado County Bar on June 29, 2009, and subsequently became a Counsellor-at-Law of the Supreme Court of Liberia in March 2017. In 2016, he obtained a Master of Laws degree in Energy, Environmental and Natural Resources Law from the Dickinson School of Law, Pennsylvania State University, in the United States of America.

His professional development, he noted, has also included specialized training in public defense, criminal trial advocacy, juvenile justice and other aspects of criminal justice administration. Since his admission to the legal profession, he has accumulated approximately 17 years of experience in criminal and civil litigation, public defense, prosecution, corporate governance, commercial transactions and legal advisory services.

Sillah recounted that his legal career began as a Public Defender assigned to Maryland County from 2009 to 2012, where he represented indigent persons accused of criminal offenses. That experience, he stated, profoundly shaped his understanding of the criminal justice system and reinforced his conviction that justice must be accessible to all persons, regardless of their economic or social circumstances.

Thereafter, he served as Legal Consultant to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), the Rural and Renewable Energy Agency (RREA) and the National Road Fund of Liberia. In private practice, he served as Managing Partner of Heritage Partners & Associates, LLC, where he provided leadership in criminal and civil litigation, corporate governance, commercial transactions and institutional legal advisory services.

He has also contributed to legal education as an Assistant Professor of Law at the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, University of Liberia, and the Liberia School of Law, teaching the Law of Evidence and Environmental Law. He currently serves as Vice President of the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA).

These experiences, Sillah declared, have given him an appreciation of both sides of the criminal justice process and strengthened his conviction that “the duty of a prosecutor is not merely to secure convictions, but to ensure that justice is done, that the guilty are prosecuted in accordance with law, and that the innocent are protected from wrongful prosecution.” He added: “That is my calling!”

Mandate under the Executive Law

Sillah reminded the committee that Chapter 22, Section 22.4 of the Executive Law of Liberia provides that the Solicitor General, subject to the direction and control of the Minister of Justice, shall prepare and argue before the Supreme Court cases involving the Government of Liberia.

The same provision, he explained, requires the Solicitor General to exercise immediate supervision over all litigation involving the Government, including the activities of County, Territorial and District Attorneys.

He said he recognizes that these responsibilities require professional competence, integrity, independence of legal judgment, institutional coordination and unwavering fidelity to the Constitution and laws of Liberia.

Since assuming office on September 10, 2026, he told senators, he has devoted considerable attention to strengthening the Department of Prosecution, improving institutional coordination and initiating reforms intended to enhance the effectiveness and accountability of government litigation.

Sillah cited initiatives undertaken jointly with the Acting Minister of Justice to strengthen coordination among the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), the LACC and the Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce. He also cited the establishment of a framework for coordinating litigation involving government ministries and agencies, before highlighting two additional initiatives.

Review of criminal cases

The first, he explained, is a strategic review and reform of criminal case management. The review covers criminal cases pending before Criminal Courts “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” and “E,” and aims to transition the Department of Prosecution from a fragmented, case-by-case approach to a coordinated and results-oriented case-management system.

According to Sillah, the review focuses on establishing a reliable inventory of pending criminal cases and on classifying and prioritizing serious, old, sensitive and trial-ready matters. It also seeks to assign clear responsibilities to prosecutors and to develop a 30/60/90-day prosecution action plan with measurable objectives, supervision, reporting and accountability.

The initial review has been conducted for Criminal Courts “A” through “E,” he disclosed. His office, he added, is working with County Attorneys to extend standardized case-tracking and management practices throughout the counties.

Standards for City Solicitors

The second initiative, Sillah noted, is reforming the supervision and professional standards of City Solicitors. On September 18, 2026, his office convened a meeting to review the status of City Solicitors, the issuance of Letters Patent and the need for uniform professional standards governing their conduct, responsibilities, supervision and accountability.

He informed the committee that while 96 City Solicitors have recently been placed on the government payroll, others continue to serve in a voluntary capacity. Accordingly, he said, the office has initiated the development of uniform standards intended to promote professionalism, integrity, diligence, accountability and respect for the Constitution and laws of Liberia.

“We strongly believe that every City Solicitor must regard his or her assignment as a public trust and discharge prosecutorial responsibilities in a manner that inspires public confidence in the administration of justice,” Sillah asserted.

Vision and priorities

If confirmed, Sillah stated, he intends to build upon these initiatives and pursue a practical reform agenda focused on strengthening prosecutorial effectiveness, professionalism, accountability and the rule of law.

His priorities, he outlined, will include improving criminal and civil case management and reducing unnecessary delays, as well as strengthening the prosecution of corruption, economic crimes, organized criminal activities and other serious offenses.

Enhancing the coordination of government litigation and improving the training, supervision and professional standards of prosecutors nationwide are also on his agenda, he added. He pledged to remain firmly committed to fairness, due process, equality before the law and the protection of fundamental human rights.

Concern over prosecutors’ pay

Sillah described as equally important the need to improve the compensation and conditions of service of prosecutors and legal officers of the MOJ, particularly County Attorneys and Assistant County Attorneys.

He told the committee that the implementation of the government’s salary harmonization policy has adversely affected the compensation of lawyers within the ministry and contributed to the departure of experienced and qualified legal professionals from public service.

This situation, he warned, has serious implications for prosecutorial capacity, institutional continuity and the effective administration of justice.

“I do not pretend that the challenges confronting our criminal justice system can be resolved overnight. However, I firmly believe that with clear leadership, institutional discipline, effective coordination, and sustained commitment, meaningful progress can be achieved,” he said.

“A solemn public trust”

Sillah pledged, if confirmed, to discharge the responsibilities of Solicitor General faithfully, diligently, impartially and in accordance with the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Liberia. He vowed to ensure that the prosecutorial authority of the Republic is exercised responsibly, that the government’s legal interests are effectively protected and that justice is administered without fear or favor.

“For us, the Office of the Solicitor General is not merely a position of authority; it is a solemn public trust and a responsibility to uphold the law, protect the Republic, and serve the Liberian people,” he declared.

He then respectfully submitted himself to the constitutional confirmation process of the Senate and said he stood ready to respond to senators’ questions, closing with a prayer that Almighty God would richly bless all.