Criminal Court “C” Judge Ousman F. Feika has denied former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor’s motion seeking admission to bail in the ongoing US$317 million alleged cocaine case. Judge Feika handed down the ruling Thursday, September 24, 2026, following arguments from Taylor’s legal team and prosecutors over whether constitutional prohibition against ex post facto laws barred charges against the former Vice President.
Taylor is facing multiple charges under Liberia’s Controlled Drugs and Substances Act of 2023, including Importation of Controlled Drugs, Unlicensed Exportation, Unlicensed Sale and Transportation of Controlled Substances, Abuse of Office, Illicit Trafficking, Criminal Conspiracy, Criminal Solicitation, Money Laundering, and Aiding the Consummation of a crime.
In her motion, Taylor’s lawyers argued that the allegations contained in the writ of arrest relate to events allegedly occurring in 2021 and 2022, before the enactment of the 2023 Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
The defense maintained that applying the 2023 law to alleged conduct predating its enactment would violate Article 21(a) of the Liberian Constitution, which provides that no person shall be subjected to a law or punishment that was not in effect at the time an offense was committed.
Prosecutors, however, rejected the defense’s argument, contending that the alleged criminal conduct did not end in 2021 or 2022 but continued through August 2026. In his ruling, Judge Feika concluded that the alleged criminal conduct began in 2021 or 2022 does not, by itself, prevent prosecution where the government alleges that the conduct continued through August 2026.
Judge Feika relied on Chapter 4, Section 4.6 of Liberia’s Criminal Procedure Law, which provides that an offense is considered committed when the last act or event necessary to constitute the offense occurs.
The provision further addresses continuing offenses, stating that where the law intends to prohibit an ongoing course of conduct, an offense is committed when the last act in that course occurs or when the accused terminates his or her participation.
Judge Feika further held that the alleged money-laundering transactions extending through August 2026 fall within the applicable statutory limitation period. He said whether the prosecution can ultimately prove the elements of the individual offenses remains a matter for trial.
“The motion to admit to bail on statute-of-limitation grounds is therefore denied, without prejudice to the defendant’s right at trial to challenge whether the prosecution has established the elements of each charged offense,” Judge Feika ruled.
Earlier in the month, Judge Feika granted a separate motion filed by Taylor’s lawyers seeking compassionate release on medical grounds. The prosecution did not object to that request, allowing the court to authorize Taylor’s release from the Monrovia Central Prison for medical care under strict conditions. The compassionate release, however, did not amount to unrestricted freedom.
Under the court’s order, Taylor must remain in detention at her residence on Tubman Boulevard, Sinkor, surrender all travel documents to the Sheriff of the Court, and not leave except to attend approved hospital or other necessary medical appointments.
The court ordered Taylor’s family to designate one caregiver, preferably a close relative, to provide her with daily care. Any change in caregiver requires prior court approval.
Access to the residence is also restricted, with visits subject to court-approved arrangements. Taylor must maintain a visitation schedule similar to the visitor-management system used by the Bureau of Corrections at the Monrovia Central Prison. The court and relevant parties must be informed of movements outside the residence for necessary approvals.
The court also ordered 24-hour security and/or police protection at Taylor’s residence and required that a complete record of visitors, including their telephone numbers and addresses, be maintained.
The conditions effectively place the former Vice President under residential detention while receiving medical care, rather than granting her unrestricted liberty. Taylor remains before Criminal Court “C” as the prosecution of the alleged US$317 million cocaine case proceeds.
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