As journalists, human rights, justice monitoring and challenge of illogical and illegal actions are sacred responsibilities. This report is written in that spirit.
Liberia’s biggest drug case in history is now testing its justice system. Former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor, 63, was detained on August 19 at Roberts International Airport while reportedly preparing to travel to Ghana, and taken to Liberia National Police headquarters. She was charged with unlicensed importation, sale and transportation of controlled drugs, illicit trafficking, criminal solicitation, criminal facilitation, money laundering and abuse of office linked to a 4.2-tonne cocaine seizure valued at $317.68 million.
The state does not allege that she physically possessed or transported cocaine. It alleges that businessman Sheik Bashiru Kante brought Ukrainian Taras Zadereiko and Croatian Mihovil Vrovac to Liberia in 2021, that the network later sought relationships with senior officials who could protect its operation, and that she met alleged ringleader Nikola Ivancic in Dubai where using Liberia as a transit point was discussed. The state cites travel records, audio recordings discussing money, political power and protection, witness accounts, and financial logs including $135,000 allegedly received, including $75,000 allegedly channeled through Kante for her Jewel Star Fish Foundation and $45,000 allegedly received in Dubai.
She was remanded to Monrovia Central Prison after Monrovia City Court denied a defense plea for compassionate leave over asthma and high blood pressure. Reports said she suffered an asthma attack in custody. On September 4, Judge Ousman F. Feika of Criminal Court C ordered her released on medical grounds but placed her under house arrest, ordered surrender of travel documents, restricted visits to a schedule similar to prison visitor-management, required court approval for caregiver, and prohibited movement except approved medical. Her lawyers say phones and computers were seized and searched. She has not publicly commented. Her lawyers call it politically motivated.
WHAT THE SECURITY EXPERT IS ASKING — WHERE ARE THE ELEMENTS?
US-based Liberian Rule of Law and Security Expert, Alfred Jah Johnson, in a security analysis of the indictment released, says the conversation must shift from headlines to law. For a criminal charge to meet probable-cause threshold, prosecutors must provide facts showing how the accused’s actions satisfy the specific elements of each crime.
He is not concluding the government has no evidence. He is questioning whether the required threshold has been sufficiently demonstrated in records released.
The Elements That Must Be Proved:
1. Drug Trafficking / Importation / Transportation
Under Controlled Drug and Substance Act of 2023, prosecution must prove: a) controlled substance involved b) accused knowingly and purposely trafficked it c) activity was unauthorized d) specific act of importation, sale or transportation. Legal question: Does a meeting in Dubai constitute importation?
2. Criminal Facilitation — The Most Contested
Must show: a) another person intended to commit felony b) accused knew or reasonably believed she was assisting c) she took action that provided means or opportunity. Johnson’s point: Simply knowing about alleged crime or discussing assistance would not, by itself, establish criminal facilitation. There must be conduct that actually aided commission.
3. Criminal Solicitation and Conspiracy
Requires agreement to commit crime and intent. State relies on audio recordings which defense is moving to block, and on witness Kante. Then reports emerged that Kante, star witness and alleged co-conspirator himself, was demanding $500,000 to testify. Justice Minister denied offering $500K. 47 days after arrest, there was still no indictment.
4. Money Laundering
Must show proceeds from unlawful activity and transactions to conceal them. Court cited alleged $15,000 receipt in August 2026 to argue continuing offense.
SELECTIVE JUSTICE — WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
President Boakai in August 26 address said: “Determining guilt or innocence is the role of the independent judiciary, not the presidency. There will be no selective justice, political protection, sacred cows or compromise with organised criminality.”
But opposition CDC in statement August 27 accused government of hypocrisy, selective prosecution and failing to confront alleged drug-cartel infiltration within security institutions. CDC announced return of former President George Weah.
A. The Son Allegation
CDC alleged President’s son, Jojo Boakai, was publicly named in a video by alleged cocaine cartel and remains free from accountability. Nimba Senator Samuel G. Kogar accused government of shielding individuals linked to current administration while moving swiftly against former officials. A video did circulate on social media featuring armed men addressing Jojo Boakai by name. The claims have not been independently established. The party provided no independent evidence. Jojo Boakai denied: “I have never participated in discussions involving narcotics trafficking. I have never facilitated illegal drug activity. I have never accepted money in exchange for influence. I welcome full investigation.” Justice Minister said investigators uncovered no evidence linking him to either $19.2M or $317.6M seizure. Yet many Liberians on social media ask: “Why’s it that he can’t deal with his son JOJO Boakai and the police IG?” and “enforce the law on your son as well.”
B. The IG Coleman Allegation
Dismissed Highway Patrol Chief Wadell Kwarbo alleged IG Gregory Coleman instructed him to escort vehicle carrying cocaine with patrol vehicle RL-141. He said call logs could be subpoenaed. His father said before imprisonment son said senior officer called to escort drugs. His family later rejected statement linking Coleman to case, saying he made no such statement and lawyers did not authorize it. Coleman responded: “For past four months, I have been target of sustained disinformation campaign intended to damage my character and silence my fight against culture of impunity. I will not be intimidated.” Justice Ministry denied allegations Coleman received $2,000 from $10,000 allegedly accepted by suspended Deputy Commissioner Johnny Dean. CDC alleged approximately 3,971kg cocaine were escorted by Liberia National Police under Coleman’s command. Those allegations have not been independently verified.
Protesters in New York during UNGA chanted “Gregory Coleman should be expelled. He is a drug dealer. Gregory must go. The IG must go. No to selective justice.” Political show The Delano King Show titled its episode “Jewel Howard Taylor, the US$317 Million Cocaine Case, and the Question of Selective Justice.”
HOW BOAKAI’S GOVERNMENT INFLUENCED JUSTICE DELIVERY
As journalists, we must examine process:
1. Arrest and public narrative before court: Charges announced by Justice Minister, appointed by President, before indictment. IG held press briefings linking ex-VP to seizure. On July 31, IG alleged cartel was financing some individuals operating in media to change narrative, distract investigators — statement Information Minister had to clarify.
2. Treatment that looked like punishment: Denial of compassionate leave, prison remand, house arrest conditions that mirror prison — visitor schedule, caregiver approval, travel ban — before conviction. This raises suspicion of pre-judgment.
3. Constitutional tension: Defense anchored argument on Article 21(a) of 1986 Constitution — “No person shall be made subject to any law or punishment which was not in effect at time of commission of offense, nor shall Legislature enact any bill of attainder or ex post facto law.” Government points to 2021-2022 events but applies 2023 law. Judge Feika relied on Chapter 4, Section 4.6 of Criminal Procedure Law — offense committed when last act occurs, and continuing offenses when last act in course occurs — citing alleged August 2026 receipt to keep case within limitation. Whether prosecution can prove elements remains for trial.
4. If security can be influenced, justice can be influenced: Police IG serves at pleasure of President. Justice Minister announces charges. Same police that allegedly escorted drugs is leading investigation into drugs. When head of institution is accused, integrity requires stepping aside. Senator Kogar argued President should suspend IG if credible allegations exist to protect investigation.
$317M worth of cocaine can be burned, but public trust requires visible due process — same questions, same subpoenas, same transparency for everyone. Everyone is entitled to presumption of innocence — Jewel Howard-Taylor, Jojo Boakai, and Gregory Coleman. But presumption of innocence starts with investigation, not protection from investigation.
As journalists, human rights and justice monitoring, challenging illogical and illegal actions is sacred responsibility. We will continue to monitor.
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Editor-in-Chief, CAJ International Magazine
Member of Editorial Board, Times Asian
Email: mikeboboye120@gmail.com