Liberia: Jewel Howard-Taylor’s Evidence Request Rejected as Preliminary Hearing Begins

Monrovia — Former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor appeared before the Monrovia City Court on Friday as prosecutors began presenting evidence in the preliminary hearing of the criminal case against her.

Howard-Taylor, who is facing charges including drug trafficking and money laundering, had petitioned the court to compel prosecutors to provide her defense team with evidence they intend to use in the case ahead of the preliminary proceedings.

However, the Monrovia City Court denied the request, ruling that the purpose of the preliminary hearing is to determine whether the prosecution has established probable cause for the case to proceed, rather than to determine Howard-Taylor’s guilt or innocence.

Defense lawyers argued that access to the evidence was necessary to adequately prepare for the hearing. Prosecutors, however, maintained that the court’s role at this stage is limited to determining whether sufficient grounds exist for the case to advance.

Following the ruling, the prosecution opened its case with testimony from Liberia National Police Crime Services Commissioner Raphael Wilson, who appeared as the State’s first witness.

Under Liberian law, witnesses may be cross-examined during preliminary proceedings, allowing Howard-Taylor’s defense team to challenge testimony presented by the prosecution.

Dressed entirely in white, the former vice president arrived at the courthouse aboard a prison bus and was escorted into the courtroom under security.

The preliminary hearing remains ongoing. At the conclusion of the proceedings, the court is expected to determine whether the prosecution has established probable cause sufficient to send the case to the Circuit Court for trial.

Howard-Taylor has denied the allegations against her.