By By: Moses P. Smith
Paynesville – Former President George Manneh Weah has condemned the charges filed against former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor, accusing the administration of President Joseph Boakai of undermining the rule of law in the handling of the ongoing transnational cocaine case.
Speaking to supporters at his Rehab residence upon his arrival in the country, Weah described the prosecution as politically motivated and unacceptable.
“I think the law is being tampered with. I believe that what is going on with former VP… I think the government, they are bogus and unacceptable,” Weah said.
The former Liberian leader said the case does not reflect democratic values and warned that the government’s actions risk weakening public trust in institutions.
“In a true democracy you can’t believe in this way. It’s wrong,” he added.
Weah also criticized the Boakai administration’s broader anti-narcotics efforts, calling them “insignificant” and saying not enough has been done to address Liberia’s growing drug crisis.
The comments come days after Howard-Taylor was arrested and charged in connection with the cocaine investigation.
In a national address on Wednesday, President Boakai assured the public that the former Vice President is presumed innocent and is receiving due process. He stressed that the anti-drug campaign targets criminal conduct, not individuals or political parties.
The case has drawn sharp reactions from political leaders, civil society, and the public as Liberia intensifies its fight against narcotics trafficking.
Political analysts say the public exchange between the former and current administrations highlights growing tensions over the application of justice in high-profile cases. They note that public confidence in the judiciary will be tested as the court process unfolds.
Howard-Taylor has not made a public statement since her arrest. The court is expected to proceed with pre-trial hearings in the coming days.
