-JUST ENSURE THERE IS DUE PROCESS
“BEAT IT, BOAKAI, BEAT IT” THIS HAS been the cry of the Liberian people since the almost half a billion United States dollars-worth of narcotic drugs bust in the motherland on June 8, 2026 in Margibi and Montserrado Counties. When this happened, several government officials from the security sectors, namely, the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency (LDEA), the National Security Agency (NSA), the Liberia National Police (LNP) as well as the Ministry of Gender and other private citizens are held liable for their alleged role in the transnational drugs trade in Liberia.
WHEN THIS HAPPENED, THE CITIZENS HAVE begun mounting pressure on the government to announce, arrest and prosecute implicated big hands (High profile former and current officials of government). Earlier, the President, Joseph N. Boakai had announced that there shall be “no sacred cow”, meaning his government is determined to expose, arrest and prosecute anyone who is convincingly connected to the drug cartel. Absolutely, no preferential treatment.
MR. PRESIDENT, BEAT IT, JNB, beat it, is what the people are calling for. No sacred cow, no compromise, no selective justice, and no preferential treatment, the law is the law, and no need to politicize this drugs fight because it is damaging the youth.
WE BELIEVE IT IS ON THIS NOTE, the former Vice President of Liberia, former Bong County Senator, and former first lady of the Republic of Liberia is been held by the Liberia National Police in alleged connection with the drugs cartel. So far, she is the only high-profile former official who had been linked to the cartel, and had spent her 1st night in police custody.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT we are not here to be in defense of anybody who has been invited or arrested by the police in the investigation process of the cartel because we cannot authoritatively speak for any suspect. What we can anticipate is speedy and impartial trial because adequate due process is a foundation for any democratic society.
THE ARREST AND SUBSEQUENT DETENTION of the former Vice President, Jewel Howard-Taylor is greeted by Liberians with mixed reactions. Some are accusing the government of witch-hutting senior opposition officials, while others are accusing the government of introducing diversionary tactics, to sway public attention from the core issue of drugs investigation. Even, her own Political Party had issued a statement , condemned the arrest, thereby describing it as a political witch-hunt, and the abuse of her right.
WHATEVER THE CASE MIGHT BE, IT IS our wish to use this platform to call for speedy, unhindered and adequate due process of law for all those who are in pretrial detention, including the former Vice President.
IT IS OUR WISH THAT THE “No Sacred Cow” assurance by the President should include some of his officials, many of whom, it is alleged, are involved with the drugs cartel. Mr. President, there is a need to subject your children, your Foreign Minister, your Vice President, your Political Advisor and your Police Inspector General to investigation.
WHILE IT IS TRUE THAT THE ISSUE of drugs in this country is a national emergency issue, we should all join hands with the government fight this drugs infiltration into our sovereign. Equally so, our government and the citizens should de-politicize this fight. No selective arrest or police invite that will undermine the spirit of transparency in the investigation and prosecution processes.
