NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – The Office of Former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor has accused elements within the Liberian Government of planning to create fabricated audio and video recordings using artificial intelligence in an alleged effort to implicate her in the ongoing drug trafficking investigation.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
In a strongly worded statement, Mrs. Howard-Taylor’s office described the alleged plan as “extremely serious and alarming,” warning that any audio or visual material presented as evidence against the former Vice President would be subjected to independent forensic examination.
The allegation comes as Mrs. Howard-Taylor faces drug trafficking and related charges brought by the government. Her office has categorically denied the accusations, describing them as baseless and politically motivated.
According to the statement, the alleged use of artificial intelligence to manufacture evidence would demonstrate the lengths to which state actors may be prepared to go to construct what it called a “false narrative” against the former Vice President.
The office warned that any manipulated or artificially generated recordings would not be accepted as genuine evidence.
“This is an extremely serious and alarming development,” the statement said, adding that any such manufactured material would be met with independent forensic scrutiny.
Former Vice President Denies Drug Trafficking Allegations
Mrs. Howard-Taylor has maintained that she has never participated in, facilitated, financed or concealed any drug-trafficking operation or criminal network.
Her office said the former Vice President’s contacts and engagements with individuals during her tenure in government cannot be treated as evidence of criminal involvement.
The statement further accused the government of attempting to connect Mrs. Howard-Taylor to individuals allegedly under investigation for transnational criminal activities based solely on official engagements conducted while she served as Vice President.
Questions Raised Over Arrest and Charges
The former Vice President’s office also questioned the manner in which she was stopped at Roberts International Airport on August 19 while preparing to travel to Accra, Ghana, to deliver a keynote address.
It said Mrs. Howard-Taylor had not been informed beforehand that she was under investigation and had not been summoned for questioning.
Her office said she subsequently agreed to voluntarily report to Police Headquarters with her lawyers. However, it alleged that her vehicle was intercepted on the Congo Town Back-road while she was traveling to meet her legal team.
She was then escorted to police headquarters, where she was charged in the presence of her lawyers.
The office described the development as troubling and questioned whether the case was being pursued as a genuine law-enforcement matter or as a political campaign against the former Vice President.
Office Calls for Evidence to Be Tested in Court
Mrs. Howard-Taylor’s office has called on the government to present its evidence and allow the courts to determine the facts.
It said the former Vice President remains prepared to defend herself through the legal process and will not be intimidated or pressured into accepting what it described as “guilt by association.”
The office further urged Liberians to remain calm while calling for respect for due process and the rule of law.
Mrs. Howard-Taylor, according to the statement, remains confident that the truth will prevail and is prepared to challenge every allegation against her.
Her office said further verified information will be released as appropriate.
