Justice for
Jewel Howard‑Taylor

Our justice system is built on the guarantee of a fair and speedy trial. Because Madam Jewel Howard‑Taylor has never been served a proper indictment detailing the specific facts and allegations against her, the defense sought a preliminary examination to review the evidence used to justify her unprecedented arrest and incarceration.

Regrettably, the prosecution objected even to this basic level of disclosure, and the court sustained that objection — denying access to evidence that could include material favorable to her innocence, and preventing the defense from meaningfully questioning prosecution witnesses. Rather than allow the preliminary stage to become a platform for unproven theories without the safeguard of full discovery, we have chosen to proceed directly to trial, where pretrial discovery is guaranteed and the former Vice President's constitutional rights can be fully protected.

This decision must be understood in its proper context, and the record must be set straight: as of this statement, Madam Howard‑Taylor has not been indicted by a grand jury. The Government has announced allegations and filed a criminal complaint — but a complaint is not an indictment, and an indictment, if ever returned, would not be a conviction. No press conference or political statement can substitute for the judicial process the law requires.

Madam Howard‑Taylor is innocent of all these charges. It is deeply troubling that official statements and media reporting have created the impression that she is already indicted or guilty. This repetition of allegation as established fact is prejudicial and damages the integrity of Liberia's justice system.

We therefore call upon:

• The Government to communicate truthfully and distinguish allegations from an indictment and a conviction.
• Public officials to cease prejudicial pronouncements while the matter is before the courts.
• The media to verify the case's procedural status rather than report allegations as proven facts.
• Civil society, religious leaders, and human‑rights advocates to demand due process and humane treatment.
• All Liberians to remain peaceful and committed to justice.

Madam Howard‑Taylor asks for no special treatment — only the constitutional protections owed to every Liberian: the presumption of innocence, humane treatment, and a fair, impartial process. If the Government has evidence, let it be tested lawfully in court. Until then, accusation must not be presented as conviction.

The Office of the Former Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, H.E. Jewel Howard‑Taylor, informs the general public, the media, and all well‑wishers that Her Excellency has been released to house arrest on compassionate grounds.

The Office expresses its profound appreciation to all individuals, institutions, and good‑faith actors who have offered their support, prayers, encouragement, and solidarity to Her Excellency and her family during this challenging period.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Her Excellency's legal team for their unwavering commitment, professionalism, dedication, and expert representation throughout the ongoing legal proceedings.

The Office is pleased to inform the public that Her Excellency is now home with her family and is in good spirits. We remain deeply grateful to the Court for the compassion and magnanimity demonstrated in granting her release on compassionate grounds.

Her Excellency's release is subject to specific conditions, which she fully intends to comply with to the letter. The key conditions include:

• Surrender of Travel Documents
  Madam Taylor must immediately surrender all travel documents in her possession to the Sheriff of the Court upon her release from pre‑trial detention.
• Restricted Access
  No person other than Madam Taylor and her physician will be permitted to enter the residence, subject to the conditions established by the Court. Medical appointments must be communicated to the appropriate authorities and must not be unnecessarily withheld.
• Visitation Schedule
  A visitation schedule must be established for visitors, similar to the system used by the Bureau of Corrections at Monrovia Central Prison, in order to regulate visitation and maintain security at the residence.
• Movement Restrictions
  Madam Taylor may leave the designated residence only by order of the Court or for a hospital appointment or medical visit. Any such movement must be communicated to the Court and the Respondent in a timely manner and approved as required by the Court.
• 24‑Hour Security
  Madam Taylor must ensure 24‑hour security and/or police protection at the residence and maintain a complete record of visitors, including their telephone numbers and addresses.

The Office remains committed to providing accurate and timely information as developments arise.

The Office of Former Vice President Jewel Howard‑Taylor extends its sincere appreciation to former President George Weah for his visit to the Former Vice President today at the Monrovia Central Prison.

The visit was deeply uplifting and reflected the cordial relationship and mutual respect between the two former leaders.

During the visit, former President Weah expressed concern for the well‑being of Former Vice President Howard‑Taylor and conveyed his support and solidarity as she continues to navigate the ongoing legal process.

The Office of the former Vice President also extends thanks to Mr. Alexander Cummings of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), other political leaders and prominent citizens who have visited to show support and solidarity.

Meanwhile, the Former Vice President Office wishes to clarify that the preliminary hearing, as well as the motion seeking to admit Former Vice President Howard‑Taylor to house arrest on compassionate grounds, did not proceed today despite the presence of her legal team in court. No reasons have been provided for the postponement.

The Former VP Office further extends gratitude to the many well‑wishers, supporters, and members of the public who continued to stand with her during this difficult period. Their prayers, encouragement, and solidarity are deeply appreciated.

Former VP Howard‑Taylor remains sincerely grateful to her legal team for their service, professionalism, and unwavering commitment throughout this process.

The Office will provide additional information and updates as they become available.

The Office of Former Vice President Jewel Howard‑Taylor categorically rejects and denies, in the strongest possible terms, all charges read against Her Excellency by the Minister of Justice in which she was accused of drug trafficking and other related offences. These allegations are baseless, unfounded, and without merit, and Her Excellency will not accept a single word of them.

What happened to Her Excellency on August 19 is deeply troubling and raises serious questions about how state power is being used in Liberia today. She was stopped from leaving Roberts International Airport en route to deliver a keynote address in Accra, Ghana — with no prior notice that she was under investigation and no summons for questioning. The Office subsequently learned that authorities were attempting to connect her to individuals allegedly under investigation for transnational criminal activity, based solely on official engagements carried out during her tenure as Vice President.

Let us be absolutely clear that contacts and engagements carried out in the course of executing her official duties are not evidence of participation in anyone's alleged crimes.

Former Vice President Howard‑Taylor did not participate in, facilitate, finance, conceal, or knowingly associate herself with any drug‑trafficking operation or criminal network, and she categorically rejects any suggestion to the contrary.

Equally disturbing is how this matter has unfolded.

Her Excellency made clear at the airport that she was prepared to voluntarily report to Police Headquarters with her lawyers. Yet while traveling to meet her legal team, her vehicle was intercepted on the Congo Town Back‑road and she was escorted to police headquarters, where she was charged in the presence of her lawyers. This is not how a former Vice President who has expressed her full willingness to cooperate should have been treated.

The Office has also been made aware of plans by elements within the government to doctor and create audio and visual recordings, using artificial intelligence, to generate fabricated evidence against Her Excellency. This is an extremely serious and alarming development. It speaks to the lengths to which state actors may be prepared to go to construct a false narrative, and any such manufactured material will be met with independent forensic scrutiny.

Her Excellency will not be intimidated, bullied into accepting guilt by association, or used to let legitimate law‑enforcement concerns be turned into a political weapon. The timing, manner, and circumstances of this case raise serious questions about whether this is an honest pursuit of justice or a political campaign to discredit and silence a former Vice President. She considers it a politically motivated witch‑hunt and an abuse of state power — and the Liberian people deserve to know whether state institutions are being used impartially.

Let there be no mistake about her response: she will fight this through the law, confront every allegation, and defend her name, record, and integrity. She remains confident the truth will prevail, and welcomes a fair, transparent investigation based on evidence — not insinuation, political pressure, or manufactured narratives.

We call on the Government to respect the rule of law and due process, and to let the courts — not political interests — determine the facts. We call on the Liberian people to remain calm: calm does not mean silence, and respect for the law does not mean surrendering the right to demand justice. Let the Government present its evidence. Let the courts do their work. Let the truth be tested in the open.

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.