Published: July 10, 2026
MONROVIA – Hundreds of indigent criminal defendants across Liberia stand to gain improved legal representation after the National Association of Public Defenders of Liberia secured its first-ever direct appropriation in the national budget, a US$200,000 line-item in the 2026 Supplementary Budget that the Association credits to the intervention of Bong County Senator Prince K. Moye, Sr.
The Association on Tuesday publicly honored Sen. Moye for his role in securing the allocation during a brief but symbolic appreciation ceremony at his Capitol Building office, where Cllr. Bestman Juah, President of the National Association of Public Defenders, credited the Senator’s “direct intervention and advocacy on the floor” for what he described as long-overdue national recognition of public defenders.
“This is the first time in our history that the Association has been captured as a line-item in the National Budget,” Cllr. Juah said. “Without Senator Moye’s leadership, our institution would not have gained this level of visibility. This allocation directly strengthens our capacity to ensure hundreds of indigent criminal defendants across Liberia receive adequate legal representation.”
The Public Defenders Program, housed within the Judiciary, is constitutionally mandated to provide free legal aid to indigent criminal defendants at every level of the court system. Despite its critical function, the program has for decades operated without a dedicated budget line, relying instead on sporadic allocations and donor support. The 2026 Supplementary Budget, recently passed by the Legislature, earmarks the US$200,000 specifically for the program, marking the first time the Association has received direct funding since its establishment.
Sen. Moye, who chairs the influential Senate Committee on Ways, Means, Finance and Budget, accepted the Association’s commendation but insisted the credit should be shared.
“I did not expect this recognition,” Moye said. “Your association is one of the most notable institutions in our country, particularly in the leeward counties. Without public defenders, we cannot provide our citizens with the kind of justice they deserve.”
Framing the issue as a legislative duty rather than a political favor, Moye argued that support for public defenders transcends party lines. “Public defenders are indispensable to ensuring equal access to justice,” he said. “Supporting this program is an obligation for all senators and legislators, not just a few individuals.”
While welcoming the allocation as historic, Moye was candid about its limitations given the scale of the need. “The $200,000 is little compared to the level of work being done by public defenders,” he admitted. He pledged to lobby the Senate Pro Tempore and fellow lawmakers to increase future allotments, with a goal of ensuring public defenders in all 15 counties are “well taken care of and can continue serving our people.”
“On behalf of the Pro Tempore and all senators, we are inclined to work in line with the Legislature so that public defenders across the counties can function in the best interest of the people,” Moye added.
The move has drawn praise from civil society. The Liberia National Bar Association described the appropriation as “a win for access to justice,” stressing that a functional public defense system is vital to upholding constitutional rights and restoring public confidence in the Judiciary.
Justice sector reformers say the funding comes at a critical time. Data from the Bureau of Corrections and Rehabilitation shows pretrial detainees make up roughly 63 percent of Liberia’s prison population, with many remaining in prolonged detention without trial, often due to lack of legal representation.
“Strengthening public defense is fundamental to democracy and the rule of law,” Moye said. “Access to justice is not reserved only for those with financial means.”
The supplementary budget now awaits the President’s signature. If enacted, the National Association of Public Defenders says the funds will be used to expand legal services, reduce case backlogs and deploy more defenders to underserved counties.
Tuesday’s ceremony signals growing legislative attention to Liberia’s justice sector, as lawmakers face mounting pressure to address pretrial detention rates and systemic delays. For public defenders, the US$200,000 line-item represents more than money. It is a political acknowledgment that their work is central to Liberia’s democratic future.
Discussion about this post