The former President of the Liberia Council of Churches, Bishop Kortu Brown, has expressed serious concern over the manner and form in which former Liberian Vice President Jewel Howard -Taylor was arrested by the Government of Liberia (GOL) on allegations of drug and other criminal-related offenses.
By Obediah Johnson
Madam Taylor is the ex-wife of former Liberian President Charles Ghankay Taylor. She served as Vice President during the administration of ex-President George Manneh Weah.
She was arrested by joint security officers while attempting to leave Liberia via the Roberts International Airport (RIA) last week and formally charged in connection with an alleged transnational narcotics network, which led to the confiscation of US$336 worth of cocaine in Liberia.
Her arrest was characterized by drama between state security officers from the Liberia National Police and the Executive Protective Service (EPS).
Madam Taylor spent a night in police custody, but was admitted to a local hospital in Monrovia for high blood pressure a day after.
She has been charged for the alleged commission of the crimes of unlicensed importation of controlled substances, sale, distribution and transportation of controlled substances, drug trafficking, criminal solicitation, criminal facilitation,
But speaking in an interview with FrontPage Africa at his offices in Brewerville, outside Monrovia on Sunday, August 23, Bishop Brown observed that the arrest of Madam Taylor, without any prior notice of summoning or invitation by state investigators, sends a negative signal that the government was in hot pursuit of her.
He added that it also portrays that the ex-Liberian Vice President and First Lady was fleeing from justice.
He said though he does not intend to question the methodology being used by state investigators in the ongoing cocaine probe, the scenes which characterized the arrest of Madam Taylor were dramatic.
Bishop Brown maintained that the arrest and subsequent prosecution of “big names” linked to the separate cocaine busts in Liberia is welcome, but Madam Taylor, who is an opposition politician, should have been engaged by investigators differently.
“Since the inception of these drug busts, we’ve been calling for investigation and transparency. We can’t question the investigation because we don’t know what is happening behind the scenes. But at the same time, we are concerned about the way Mrs. Jewel Howard Taylor was arrested. We can’t say who is right or wrong or whether Mrs. Taylor is guilty or not guilty. My concern is whether or not she was indicted by the investigation team or whether she knew that she was under investigation. Liberians woke up and were just concerned about the way she was arrested.”
Bishop Brown pointed out that state security officers should have notified the former Liberian Vice President that she was under investigation to prevent her departure from the country.
“Before she left her house that morning (because she has EPS details), she should have been told that ‘Madam, because of this reason, you cannot travel.’ But to allow her to go all the way to the airport and all that drama that ensued is concerning and that triggered out Liberians.”
He emphasized that though he is not against the arrest of any suspects or high-profiled former and current public officials linked to the latest cocaine busts in Liberia, state investigators should have execute their mandate “in a better way” instead of stirring up drama.
Bishop Brown noted that Madam Taylor should have been advised by investigators to return to Monrovia and notify that she was under investigation, instead of arresting her in such a demeaning manner and form.
He observed that the arrest of Madam Taylor did not clearly establish whether or not she was breaching any travel restriction or previous directives from those investigating the cocaine busts.
He stressed that his opposing view on the arrest of Madam Taylor is not in any way intended to undermine or question the evidence that state investigators may have gathered against her.
Bishop Brown said putting Madam Taylor, who is already hospitalized, under “house-arrest” could help the process of investigation.
“If somebody is sick, what do you do? But that’s is up to the authorities. What we want is for Liberia to not be a drug country or shield anyone. If Mrs. Taylor is involved with drugs, let her be prosecuted; let her be given her day in court.”
No one-sided probe
Bishop Brown warned against the conduct of what he called “one-sided” investigation.
He maintained that those involved in drug trafficking and trading in Liberia should be made to account for their actions through the submission of substantive evidence to find them guilty.
He maintained that the government should “do the right thing” in its investigation to promote peace and reconciliation in Liberia.
“The investigation should cover all areas. The investigation should not be one-sided. Let the investigation be free and fair. We don’t want any partial treatment.”
Not targeting CDC
He ruled out concerns that the ongoing cocaine probe is targeting opposition political parties, including the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), ahead of the 2029 elections in Liberia.
Bishop Brown said whoever is involved in the drug trade or trafficking in Liberia should be pursued by state security actors regardless of political affiliation or status in Liberian society.
He encouraged investigators to execute their mandate without fear, favor, or preferential treatment.
He, however, observed that the ongoing combat against the flow of illicit drugs and substances is being politicized in Liberia
Bishop Brown added that this situation is igniting confusion among Liberians.
He cautioned public officials and opposition politicians against politicizing efforts being made to defeat the menace.
“Political party doesn’t matter; this is not a political party issue. This is about Liberia. We have heard about drug busts in many other countries in West Africa; it is not politicized like our own. Every Liberian is supposed to be treated fairly under the law. We want a less political consideration process.”
No protest
Speaking further, Bishop Brown warned against the holding of street protests by political parties against the arrest of any of their leaders for their alleged links to the cocaine busts.
He said political actors should do away with acts which have the proclivity to exacerbate tension in the country.
He stated that though it is the constitutional right of Liberians to peacefully assemble, the holding of street protests is not the best way to find solutions to problems.
Bishop Brown further urged authorities of the Liberian government to be more concerned about finding solutions to the influx of illicit drugs and substances, which continue to claim the lives of citizens in the country.
He called for the establishment of an independent body to probe the root causes of the trafficking of drugs to Liberia and advance recommendations to the government.
Call big names
Bishop Brown renewed calls for all top former and current public officials linked to the US$336million cocaine bust to be exposed and investigated.
He said there should be no sacred cows or covering up in the cocaine probe.
“All big names that are connected to this drug bust should be brought out and investigated without fear or political biases; clear evidence pursue the facts.”
He said state investigators should desist from stirring up drama during the arrest of suspects linked to the cocaine probe to avoid a negative impact on the peace and security of the country.
No witch-hunt
Bishop Brown cautioned against a witch-hunt against a particular group of people arrested as suspects in the cocaine probe.
He termed recent comments made by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, threatening to hunt witches in relation to the cocaine busts.
He said the fight against illicit drugs is a fight against criminality and the destruction of Liberia, and as such, public officials and others should refrain from making statements that would provoke tension in the country.
Fair trial
Bishop Brown, however, called on authorities to ensure a speedy and fair trial for Madam Taylor and other suspects in the cocaine trial.
He called on Madam Taylor to submit herself to the court proceedings to clear her name
“I want to appeal to Mrs. Taylor to go to court and recuse yourself. I want to appeal to the authorities and people who are accused-don’t politicize this. We can’t afford for Liberia to become a narco hub.”
Present evidences
Speaking further, Bishop Brown called on opposition politicians linking investigators, especially the Inspector General of the Liberia National Police (LNP). Gregory Coleman to receive gifts from drug cartels, to present their evidence to the relevant authorities.
He said the posting of photographs of vehicles and others on social media is not sufficient to link anyone to the commission of a crime.
He noted that IG Coleman should muster the courage to step aside and submit to investigation if substantial evidence shows that he has been compromised in executing his mandate.
Bishop Brown stressed that the cocaine probe would be more difficult to handle if individuals are consistently accused without any evidence to link them to the commission of any crimes.
He said drug trafficking or the commission of transnational crime would destroy the economy and the image of Liberia if citizens refused to hold together or continue to raise false allegations against one another for personal and political reasons.
