MONROVIA, Liberia — The Office of former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor has strongly denied the drug trafficking and related criminal charges brought against her, describing the allegations as “baseless, unfounded, and without merit.”
In a statement issued on August 22, the former Vice President’s office said Howard-Taylor categorically rejects allegations of drug trafficking, money laundering, criminal conspiracy, criminal solicitation and other related offenses.
The statement comes days after Howard-Taylor was arrested at Roberts International Airport while preparing to travel to Accra, Ghana, where she was scheduled to deliver a keynote address.
Howard-Taylor Questions Circumstances of Arrest
Her office said Howard-Taylor was stopped at the airport without prior notice that she was under investigation or a summons to appear for questioning.
According to the statement, authorities later sought to connect her to individuals allegedly being investigated for transnational criminal activity based on official engagements she carried out while serving as Vice President.
The former Vice President’s office maintained that contacts and engagements conducted as part of her official responsibilities should not be considered evidence of involvement in criminal activity.
“Former Vice President Howard-Taylor did not participate in, facilitate, finance, conceal, or knowingly associate herself with any drug-trafficking operation or criminal network,” the statement said.
Her office also disputed the manner in which she was taken into custody, saying Howard-Taylor had indicated that she was willing to voluntarily report to police headquarters with her lawyers.
The statement alleges that while she was traveling to meet her legal team, her vehicle was intercepted on the Congo Town Back Road and she was escorted to police headquarters, where the charges were read in the presence of her lawyers.
Allegations of Fabricated Evidence
The former Vice President’s office also raised concerns over alleged plans by individuals within the government to use artificial intelligence to create fabricated audio and video recordings that could be presented as evidence against Howard-Taylor.
The office said any such material would be subjected to independent forensic examination.
The allegation has not been independently verified, and the government has not publicly confirmed or responded to the claim.
Howard-Taylor Calls Case a Political Witch-Hunt
Howard-Taylor’s office described the timing and circumstances surrounding the case as troubling and questioned whether the investigation represents a genuine law-enforcement effort or a politically motivated campaign against the former Vice President.
“She considers it a politically motivated witch-hunt and an abuse of state power,” the statement said.
Her office called on the government to respect due process and allow the courts to determine the facts based on evidence.
“Let the Government present its evidence. Let the courts do their work. Let the truth be tested in the open,” the statement added.
Former Vice President Vows to Fight Charges
Howard-Taylor said she will challenge the allegations through the legal system and defend her name and reputation.
Her office also called on Liberians to remain calm while urging citizens to continue demanding accountability and justice through lawful means.
“Her Excellency Jewel Howard-Taylor has served Liberia at the highest levels of government. She has nothing to hide and will not run from the law — but neither will she allow her name to be dragged through the mud for political purposes,” the statement said.
Howard-Taylor served as Liberia’s Vice President from 2018 to 2024 under former President George Weah.
The criminal case remains before Liberian authorities, with the former Vice President maintaining her innocence. The allegations against her have yet to be tested in court.
