Monrovia – Political Leader of the Alternative National Congress, Alexander Benedict Cummings, has called on the Government of Liberia to ensure a speedy and fair trial for former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor, who remains incarcerated at the Monrovia Central Prison over allegations linked to the country’s ongoing narcotics investigation.
By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway
Cummings made the call Sunday after visiting Howard-Taylor at the prison, commonly known as “South Beach,” where she is being held in connection with the drug case.
Speaking to reporters after the visit, Cummings accused the government of applying justice selectively and warned that Liberia risks becoming a “narco-state” if authorities fail to prosecute all individuals implicated in the narcotics trade, regardless of their political status.
Cummings said his visit was personal but acknowledged that it carried a broader political message.
“I came this afternoon to visit the former Vice President, Jewel Howard-Taylor. The former Vice President is a friend; I call her my ‘small sister.’ I came to empathize with her and check on her circumstantial situation,” he said.
Cummings declined to disclose details of his private conversation with Howard-Taylor but said she feels aggrieved and maintains that authorities do not have sufficient evidence against her.
“That conversation was private between her and me. She obviously feels aggrieved. She feels they have no evidence, etc., but I will say no more than this,” he said.
Cummings Calls for Speedy Justice
The ANC political leader outlined what he described as key principles that should guide the government’s handling of the narcotics investigation, with a speedy trial among his principal demands.
“One is, of course, the legal piece of it: the innocent are presumed innocent until proven guilty. There is a presumption of innocence, and the evidence should be followed wherever it leads,” Cummings said.
“But justice needs to be speedy. It needs to be speedy, and justice should not be selective. It appears that justice is being selectively prescribed,” he added.
Cummings said Liberia’s narcotics problem has become increasingly serious under the current administration and called for the prosecution and arrest of all persons implicated in the drug trade.
“This narcotic issue is a serious problem for our country. Our country appears to be becoming a narco-state, and it is happening now under this government’s watch,” he said.
“We want to see prosecution. We want to see arrests of current officials because it is happening now.”
Demands Independent Investigation
Cummings also renewed his call for an independent investigation into the narcotics allegations, citing comments attributed to the Inspector General of Police that senior government officials were allegedly implicated.
“The Inspector General of Police, in his press conference, said there were big shots, big heads in this government who were implicated. We want to know who they are because otherwise the process seems unjust. It seems selective,” Cummings said.
He argued that an independent process would help establish the facts and ensure that the law is applied equally to current and former officials.
ANC Vows to Keep Pressure on Government
Cummings said the ANC would continue to hold the government accountable beyond the ongoing narcotics investigation, citing corruption, injustice and other governance concerns.
“The next step of the party is to keep reminding the government of ills in society, including corruption, injustices, violence and drugs,” he said.
“We want this narco-state situation to be curtailed. We want the government to go after corruption. You know, we wrote a letter on this whole Foya construction in Lofa. We haven’t gotten a response. We will be speaking on that again.”
Cummings also confirmed that he had followed through on an earlier commitment to engage international partners over Liberia’s narcotics crisis.
“I said I would speak to international partners to get involved, and I did do that. I just hope this government does the right thing. It’s not about taking sides here or there. It’s about following the evidence, but applying it to everybody,” he said.
While expressing sympathy for Howard-Taylor, Cummings stopped short of declaring her innocent, instead insisting that the government should present whatever evidence it has against her.
“It is not my impression that the person, the woman I know, will be involved in what is being alleged. But again, let’s see the evidence. That’s why they need to do it quickly, speedily, and provide whatever evidence they have,” he said.
The ANC said it will continue to demand speedy trials and justice for everyone incarcerated in connection with the narcotics investigation, including the former Vice President.
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