By Stephanie M. Duncan
MONROVIA, LIBERIA — Political Leader of the Liberian National Union (LINU), Dr. Clarence K. Moniba, has called on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to address the nation on Liberia’s ongoing drug investigations and establish an independent three-member panel to review the handling and progress of the cases.
Dr. Moniba’s call comes following the government’s announcement of criminal charges against former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor and several other Liberian and foreign nationals in connection with the country’s widening drug crisis.
While describing the allegations as serious, Dr. Moniba said anyone found guilty of drug trafficking or related offenses must face the full weight of the law.
However, he cautioned the government against treating allegations as convictions, stressing that every accused person is entitled to due process and a fair and impartial trial.
“This is not a defense of Madam Howard-Taylor or an attempt to excuse anyone who may have participated in criminal activity. If any person is found guilty of drug trafficking or related crimes, that person must be held fully accountable under the law. But accusations are not convictions,” Dr. Moniba said.
He urged the government to move beyond public announcements and present credible and admissible evidence before the courts.
Dr. Moniba also raised concerns over Liberia’s record of high-profile investigations that have attracted public attention but have remained unresolved.
He cited the arson investigation and major corruption cases as examples of matters that, in his view, underscore the need for the government to demonstrate its capacity to bring major investigations and prosecutions to their lawful conclusions.
According to the LINU political leader, the current drug investigation is unprecedented in scale and seriousness, with potential implications for Liberia’s justice system, national security, international reputation and young people.
Dr. Moniba is therefore calling for direct presidential leadership on the matter.
He wants President Boakai to speak to the Liberian people and reassure them that the investigations will be pursued to their lawful conclusion and that no individual, institution, security official or politically connected person will be placed above the law.
He further proposed the establishment of an independent three-person panel comprising credible Liberians to review ongoing investigations involving current and former members of Liberia’s security and law-enforcement institutions.
Dr. Moniba said the proposed panel should have a limited mandate to determine whether the investigations are being conducted professionally and independently and whether the same level of urgency and seriousness is being applied across cases.
He also called for the panel’s findings to be made public.
The LINU political leader expressed concern over unanswered questions surrounding investigations involving individuals connected to the Liberia National Police, National Security Agency, Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency and airport security.
He said the public deserves greater clarity on which investigations have been completed, who has been formally charged and which cases remain under active investigation.
“This is not an argument for protecting anyone. It is an argument for one standard of justice,” Dr. Moniba said.
He maintained that no current or former government official, security officer, politically connected individual or any other person should receive protection because of public office, institutional connections or influence.
As Liberia continues to confront its growing drug problem, Dr. Moniba called for a balance between accountability and due process.
“The accused deserve due process. The Liberian people deserve the truth. And at this critical moment, the country deserves to hear directly from its President,” he said.
Dr. Moniba further warned that public confidence in Liberia’s justice system depends on ensuring that investigations are transparent, impartial and free from political interference.
“Liberia is watching. The world is watching us. Justice must not be selective. Justice must not be delayed. And justice must not be abandoned before the truth is established,” he said.
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