-CIMOJ Urges GOL

Citizens Movement for Justice, CIMOJ, a local civil society organization, has called on the Government of Liberia to accord ex-Vice President, Jewel Howard-Taylor, a speedy trial or immediately release her from further detention or house arrest.

CIMOJ in a press statement on Tuesday, said if the government does not have empirical evidence to press its case against Madam Taylor, the only alternative is to restore her civil liberty or give her a speedy trial.

The former Vice President is charged with multiple criminal offenses, including drug trafficking, money laundering, criminal facilitation, criminal conspiracy and other related crimes. The 63-year old former Vice President was linked to the seizure of cocaine valued at US$317m.

Madam Taylor has repeatedly denied the claims and wonders why the government has decided to link her to illicit drugs business.

Madam Taylor was on her way out of the Country to attend a women conference in Ghana when she was intercepted and arrested at the Roberts International Airport a few months ago.

In its press statement, CIMOJ said while it acknowledges the inherent and fiduciary responsibility of the government to fight the trafficking and sale of illicit substances, including cocaine, the ex-Vice President must be unconditionally released if the evidence the government claims it has are not solid enough to prove its case against the renown female politician.

As it is often said, CIMOJ averred, ‘justice delay, is justice deny’, the UP-led government, it says, is challenged to uphold its campaign promise that justice would equally be accorded all every citizen irrespective of tribe, religion and political affiliation.

“The time is now to unconditionally release this astute female politician and apologize to her if the evidence you claim you have are not convincing,” the CIMOJ’s press statement emphasized.

The civil society group said while it does not intend to shield wrong doers, including Madam Taylor or any other Liberian, it thinks it is offensive if a citizen is charged under the Unity Party-led administration not on the basis of a crime she or he commits, but for political reasons.

CIMOJ also alleges that the Boakai’s administration is arresting and keeping potential opposition figures in prison to have an easy ride in 2029.