Early Wednesday morning under heavy downpour, then Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor got the shock of her life when armed police officers stalled her movement en route to the RIA. Surprise enveloped her, not knowing what she was into. She braved the storm, reached out to Police IG, Gregory Coleman, one of the masterminds, thinking she could get reprive, but to no avail. Realizing there was no end in sight, she retorted. “I am not going to the police station without my lawyer. I am going to my house.” Few minutes later, she appeared with her lawyer at the LNP Headquarters, apparently hoping to return home later. That was not the case, though. Eventually, after several hours, her fate was decided; multiple charges unsealed. Expected to appear in court Thursday, news of poor health conditiions emerged, the beginning of what could be impending clitches in her trial. Jamesetta D. Williams of our staff reports.
MONROVA-Early hitches have begun to characterize former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor drugs-related arrest and indictment as the Liberian government failed to initiate the first legal step of arraigning her in court before transfering her to the Monrovia Central Prison where she could remain for the rest of the trial.
Drugs-related indictments are not bailable under Liberian law, but whether the law could shift in her case, especially given her reported health condition, remains a conjecture.
As of this moment, Madam Taylor remained detained at the Police Headquarters where it was reported she had experienced health problems relating to ‘increased blood pressure level’ and ‘asthma.’ Liberia National Police (LNP) later confirmed the reports of her poor health status. She was eventually rushed to hospital.
Before the health concerns became public, the Liberian government had earlier released what critics called “concerning statement” regarding the status of the Ex-VP, announcing she would not be appear in court where she expected.
Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah separately said the decision was intended to ensure that the former Vice President’s constitutional rights are fully protected.
The development has raised fresh questions about the next stage of the government’s ongoing narcotics investigation, including whether Taylor will be medically cleared to appear before court and how the charges against her will proceed.
The development comes amid visible medical activity at the LNP headquarters, where nurses carrying medical kits were seen entering the facility following reports concerning Taylor’s medical condition.
With Taylor’s court appearance postponed, the immediate focus is expected to remain on her health and whether she is medically fit to participate in further legal proceedings.
Authorities have not announced a new date for her appearance before court. Depending on the outcome of her medical assessment and subsequent legal decisions, Taylor could eventually be brought before court to formally respond to the charges against her.
Her legal team could also seek appropriate legal remedies, including challenging aspects of the case or requesting her release under applicable Liberian law.
The postponement of her court appearance, however, does not by itself mean that the charges have been withdrawn or dismissed. The investigation and prosecution process can continue subject to the law and any decisions by the court.
Taylor was formally charged in connection with an ongoing investigation into an alleged transnational narcotics trafficking network operating in Liberia and beyond.
Attorney General and Minister of Justice Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh disclosed the charges Wednesday during a government briefing, as authorities provided additional information about the investigation and alleged activities involving multiple individuals.
Taylor has not been convicted of any offense. The allegations against her remain subject to the judicial process, and she is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until proven guilty in court.
The case has also generated public debate, with some citizens and political observers questioning the circumstances surrounding the investigation and describing the prosecution as a possible “witch hunt.”
However, such claims remain allegations and should be distinguished from established facts unless supported by evidence.
The government, meanwhile, has maintained that the investigation is being handled through the appropriate legal and security institutions.
The controversy has placed additional attention on the authorities to ensure that the investigation is conducted transparently, that Taylor’s constitutional rights are respected, and that any evidence presented against her is subjected to proper judicial scrutiny.
Taylor’s reported health condition could now become an important factor in determining the timing of the next legal step.
If medical professionals determine that she is not presently fit to appear in court, authorities may have to wait until she is medically cleared before proceeding with her court appearance, subject to applicable legal procedures.
If she is cleared to proceed, she could subsequently be forwarded to court, where the allegations and charges would move into the formal judicial process.
For now, authorities have not announced when that will happen.
As Taylor remains at LNP headquarters, attention is increasingly focused on her medical condition, the government’s evidence in the narcotics investigation, and the legal process that will determine what happens next.
The government through Justice Minister and Attorney General Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh Wednesday announced multiple charges against the former VP faces multiple, unlicensed Importation of a Controlled Drug or Substance, unlicensed sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution, dispatch in transit and transportation of a controlled drug or substance.
Other charges are illicit trafficking of a controlled drug or substance, criminal solicitation
and criminal facilitation as well as criminal conspiracy, and money laundering under the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Law.
“The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Justice, informs the public that former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor has been formally charged in connection with the ongoing investigation into an alleged transnational narcotics network,” Minister Tweh said.
He added that the former Veep remains detained at LNP Headquarters pending further legal process.
Besides, the government also announced charges in absentia against three alleged members and organizers of the same network, including Nikolai Ivancic, a Croatian national, Mihovil Vrovac, a Croatian national and Tara Zaderieko, a Ukrainian national. It is alleged the detained VP has drug-related ties with the concerned foreign nationals.
“The Ministry of Justice will pursue all lawful domestic and international measures necessary to locate, apprehend and bring these defendants before the courts of the Republic of Liberia,” Tweh stated.
Tense environment
Meanwhile, Capitol Hill, the seat of the Temple of Justice and the LNP, remain tense as a result developments surrounding Ex-VP Taylor who remains in detention at the LNP headquarters.
According to our reporter, police barricads erected yesterday in anticipation of Madam Taytlor’s appearance in court remaned in place around the LNP headquarters as well as the courtyard of the Temple of Jusitce.
Movements of people in an out of the two institutions were largely restricted, as police officers ensured no one crossed the red light or checkpoint unchecked or monitored.
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