-Ex-VP Taylor Received US$135,000
The Monrovia City Court has remanded in prison at the Monrovia Central Prison, former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor for her alleged link to a transnational cocaine trafficking network.
She has been formally charged over allegations she received US$135,000 from individuals associated with the network, according to investigators.
The Joint Special Investigation Team alleges that Howard-Taylor received US$45,000 during a trip to Dubai, US$75,000 through Sheikh Bashiru Kante for her Jewel Star Fish Foundation, and another US$15,000 in August 2026.
She faces multiple charges, including illicit trafficking, importation and exportation of controlled substances, criminal conspiracy, criminal facilitation, criminal solicitation, money laundering, and aiding the consummation of a crime.
Investigators say the case is supported by travel records, audio recordings, witness testimonies and evidence of her alleged association with members of the suspected cocaine network.
At the Monrovia City Court where she appeared on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, Taylor’s defense team had asked the court to grant her a preliminary examination and allow her to remain at a health facility for continued medical treatment, arguing that her condition was life-threatening.
The defense told the court that, based on Taylor’s medical report, her health could deteriorate if she was not granted compassionate detention.
“The defense begs to inform this court that the former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor’s health condition is life-threatening; that if she is not granted compassionate detention, she may lose her precious life,” one of Taylor’s lawyers argued.
The defense cited provisions of the Criminal Procedure Law, including Chapters 34 and 13, Article 20(a) of the 1986 Constitution, and Sections 25.1 and 25.2 of Liberia’s Civil Procedure Law in support of its request.
In response, the prosecution raised no objection to Taylor’s request for a preliminary examination, noting that it is a right guaranteed to a defendant under Liberia’s Criminal Procedure Law.
However, state lawyers strongly opposed the request for compassionate detention.
The prosecution pointed to portions of Taylor’s medical report, which it said showed that her vital signs and blood sugar levels were stable.
“The state requests that the court grant the request in part and deny it in part,” the prosecution argued. “The request for a preliminary examination should be granted because it is the right of the defendant under Chapter 12 of the Criminal Procedure Law. The request for compassionate detention should be denied.”
The prosecution further argued that some of the charges against Taylor are capital and non-billable offenses.
A jurisdictional issue also arose during the hearing. The prosecution argued that the Monrovia City Court did not have the authority to hear and grant a request for compassionate detention. The defense disagreed, maintaining that the matter was properly before the court because the Monrovia City Court is the court of first instance.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the court recessed for 15 minutes before returning with its decision.
The court granted Taylor’s request for a preliminary examination but denied her request for compassionate detention.
In its ruling, the court held that the authority to grant compassionate leave rests with the Executive Branch and not the Judiciary.
Taylor was subsequently ordered remanded to the Monrovia Central Prison.
Her lawyers excepted to the ruling and announced an appeal.
