MONROVIA, Liberia — The preliminary examination hearing involving former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor, scheduled for Friday, August 28, 2026, has been postponed after prosecutors requested additional time.
The continuance request was filed by Atty. Alex Hawkins S. Younge, City Solicitor assigned to the Monrovia City Court, who asked Stipendiary Magistrate Cllr. L. Ben Barco to reschedule the proceedings for Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
In a communication dated August 28, the City Solicitor cited the closing of the Supreme Court of Liberia’s March Term of Court as the reason for the request.
According to the prosecution, the court’s closing ceremony was expected to draw senior lawyers serving as Counsellors-at-Law before the Supreme Court. The lawyers involved in the case are reportedly needed by their senior Counsellors and supervisors to participate in the closing activities, making them unavailable for the scheduled preliminary examination.
The prosecution therefore asked the court to continue the matter and have the preliminary examination resume on September 2 at 10:00 a.m.
Court records show that the communication was received by the Monrovia City Court on Friday morning, shortly after 7:30 a.m.
The postponement means the preliminary proceedings will not take place as initially scheduled. The matter is now expected to return before the court on September 2, subject to the magistrate’s approval of the continuance.
The case has attracted significant public attention due to the allegations involving the former Vice President. However, the request for a continuance is a procedural development and does not amount to a determination of Howard-Taylor’s guilt or innocence.
The proceedings remain pending before the Monrovia City Court.
