NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – The legal team representing former Liberian Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor has filed a motion seeking her release on bail, while challenging the constitutional and legal basis of the criminal charges against her.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
According to a statement issued Thursday, September 17, by the Office of the Former Vice President, the motion was filed on September 16 before Assigned Circuit Judge Ousman F. Feika of Criminal Assizes “C” of the First Judicial Circuit in Montserrado County.
The defense argues that Howard-Taylor’s arrest and continued detention are unlawful, claiming that she was arrested without a warrant at Roberts International Airport on August 19 while traveling to Ghana to attend a women’s leadership conference. The legal team says the arrest violated Article 21(b) of Liberia’s 1986 Constitution.
A central argument in the motion is that the government is relying on Liberia’s 2023 Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to prosecute alleged conduct dating back to 2021 and 2022. The defense contends that because the 2023 law was enacted on July 19, 2023, its application to earlier alleged conduct amounts to an unconstitutional ex post facto prosecution, which is prohibited under Article 21(a) of the Constitution.
The defense further argues that the 2014 Drug Act, which was in force when the alleged offenses occurred, should govern the case. It maintains that the alleged offenses were bailable under the applicable law and that Howard-Taylor is therefore entitled to bail.
The lawyers are also challenging the absence of a Grand Jury indictment, citing a 2025 Supreme Court decision, Republic of Liberia v. James Kollie et al., which they say supports their position that an unsworn magistrate’s writ cannot remove a citizen’s right to bail where proof of the alleged offense is not evident.
The motion asks the court to release Howard-Taylor on personal recognizance or set a reasonable bail amount, determine that the 2014 Drug Act applies to the alleged offenses, and grant any other relief the court considers appropriate.
Howard-Taylor, a former Senator for Bong County and Vice President from 2018 to 2024, has denied wrongdoing in the case. Her office says she has no criminal record and remains committed to defending herself through the courts.
The latest filing comes as the former Vice President continues to face prosecution over allegations linked to illegal drug-related activities. The defense has urged the public to remain calm as it pursues what it describes as efforts to protect Howard-Taylor’s constitutional rights.
