NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – Former Speaker of the House of Representatives Bhofal Chambers has called for Liberia to impose the death penalty on convicted drug traffickers, while strongly criticizing the Liberia National Police’s handling of the ongoing case involving former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor.
By: Kabina S. Kabah – kabinaskaba98@gmail.com
Chambers, a former Maryland County lawmaker, made the remarks Thursday at the headquarters of the Liberia National Police, where he had gone to seek access to Howard-Taylor following her arrest and subsequent hospitalization.
The former Speaker said Liberia must adopt tougher measures against drug traffickers, arguing that the country’s growing drug crisis requires severe punishment for those found guilty of trafficking narcotics.
According to Chambers, drug traffickers should face the death penalty, which he said could serve as a strong deterrent against the illicit drug trade.
He recalled that during his time as Speaker of the House of Representatives, lawmakers resisted efforts to abolish the death penalty despite what he described as pressure to do so.
Chambers pointed to Singapore as one of the countries that maintains capital punishment for certain serious crimes and argued that Liberia should consider adopting similarly tough measures against drug trafficking.
At the same time, Chambers said he does not believe Howard-Taylor is involved in the allegations against her, expressing frustration over the manner in which the police have handled the case.
The former Speaker particularly questioned the circumstances surrounding Howard-Taylor’s arrest and what he described as her public humiliation.
He also complained that he was denied access to the former Vice President when he attempted to see her at the police headquarters.
Chambers disclosed that he had been asked by former President George Weah to deliver a message to Howard-Taylor but was prevented from meeting her.
The former Speaker further challenged Police Inspector General Gregory O.W. Coleman over previous assertions that other high-ranking government officials were allegedly connected to the drug investigation.
Chambers said the police have yet to publicly identify or arrest any senior government official allegedly implicated in the matter.
“We are here to see the arrest of any senior official of this government named,” Chambers said.
He questioned why, despite claims that prominent individuals were allegedly involved, the public had not seen any such officials arrested and presented in connection with the investigation.
Chambers’ comments add to growing political criticism surrounding the case involving Jewel Howard-Taylor, who was expected to be forwarded to court after being charged with multiple offenses, including money laundering and criminal conspiracy.
However, the former Vice President was reportedly rushed to a hospital after falling ill before she could be taken to court.
While calling for the harshest possible punishment for drug traffickers, Chambers maintained that the fight against narcotics must be conducted fairly and without what he suggested was selective enforcement or the public humiliation of suspects.
His intervention has now placed additional pressure on the police to explain both the handling of Howard-Taylor’s case and the status of alleged senior government officials said to be connected to the broader drug investigation.
