The Office of former Liberian Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor has strongly denied drug-trafficking and related allegations filed against her by the Minister of Justice, describing the case as a politically motivated effort to damage her reputation and misuse state institutions.
In a statement released Saturday, Howard-Taylor’s Office said the former vice president “categorically rejects and denies, in the strongest possible terms” the allegations and maintains that the charges are baseless and without merit.
The statement said the case began on August 19, when Howard-Taylor was stopped at Roberts International Airport while attempting to travel to Accra, Ghana, where she was scheduled to deliver a keynote address.
According to the Office, Howard-Taylor had received no prior notification that she was under investigation and had not been summoned for questioning before being stopped at the airport.
The Office said it subsequently learned that investigators were attempting to establish links between Howard-Taylor and individuals reportedly being investigated for transnational criminal activities.
It argued that any contacts between the former vice president and such individuals occurred in the course of her official government responsibilities and should not, by themselves, be interpreted as evidence of criminal involvement.
The statement firmly denied that Howard-Taylor participated in, financed, concealed or knowingly associated herself with any drug-trafficking operation or criminal network.
The former vice president’s Office also questioned the manner in which authorities handled her arrest.
It said Howard-Taylor informed authorities at the airport that she was willing to voluntarily report to Police Headquarters accompanied by her attorneys.
However, according to the statement, her vehicle was later intercepted along the Congo Town back road while she was traveling to meet her legal team.
She was subsequently escorted to Police Headquarters, where she was formally charged in the presence of her lawyers.
The Office described the incident as inconsistent with the treatment that should be accorded a former vice president who, according to its account, had indicated her willingness to cooperate with investigators.
The statement also raised an allegation concerning the possible use of artificial intelligence to create fabricated evidence against Howard-Taylor.
The Office claimed it had become aware of alleged plans by unnamed government figures to use AI to manufacture doctored audio and video recordings intended to implicate the former vice president.
It described the alleged plan as “an extremely serious and alarming development” and said any audio or video material presented as evidence would be subjected to independent forensic examination to determine its authenticity.
The Office further characterized the case as part of what it described as a broader pattern of political use of state institutions.
It called the prosecution “a politically motivated witch-hunt and an abuse of state power,” alleging that the charges are intended to discredit and silence Howard-Taylor rather than pursue a legitimate law-enforcement process.
The statement questioned whether Liberia’s state institutions are being applied impartially, saying the timing and manner in which the charges were brought raise concerns about the government’s motives.
Despite the allegations, Howard-Taylor’s Office said she intends to challenge the charges through the legal system and remains confident that a fair examination of the evidence will vindicate her.
It called on the government to respect due process and allow the courts, rather than political actors, to determine the facts of the case.
The Office also appealed to the Liberian public to remain calm while continuing to pay close attention to the proceedings.
It said additional verified information would be released as the case develops.
Howard-Taylor remains in police custody as authorities pursue the allegations, with attention now turning to how prosecutors will present their evidence and how the courts will handle the charges against the former vice president.
