–Police IG Coleman Says Former Vice President Is Speaking and Receiving Visitors at GIMS
MONROVIA, Liberia — Former Vice President Jewel Cianeh Howard-Taylor remains hospitalized under police custody but is reported to be in stable condition, with doctors requesting additional time to continue monitoring her health.
Police Inspector General Colonel Gregory O. W. Coleman provided the latest update Friday as journalists sought information outside the Gomez Institute of Medical Science (GIMS), where Howard-Taylor is receiving treatment.
“Madam Taylor is stable; she’s still being treated by doctors,” Coleman told reporters.
The Police Chief said the treating doctors had requested an extension of her treatment and observation period.
“Right now, the doctor has asked for an extension of the treatment, for them to observe her,” Coleman said.
Coleman added that the former Vice President is speaking and accepting visitors, indicating that she is responsive while continuing to receive medical care.
The Police Chief, however, cautioned that he was not qualified to provide a medical assessment beyond what had been communicated by the doctors.
“I’m not a medical person,” Coleman said, explaining that authorities would proceed based on the advice of the medical team.
Medical Emergency Delays Legal Proceedings
Howard-Taylor’s hospitalization follows a medical emergency reported Thursday while she was in police custody.
She was rushed to GIMS Hospital in Sophie, Monrovia, after reportedly experiencing a significant rise in blood pressure. Medical personnel were reportedly called to Liberia National Police headquarters after concerns were raised about her condition.
Her hospitalization occurred as authorities were preparing to move her through the next stage of proceedings following her arrest and formal charging in connection with the government’s ongoing investigation into an alleged transnational narcotics network.
The health crisis has consequently interrupted the expected progression of the case, with her continued treatment now placing the timing of her next court appearance in the hands of her medical team and the authorities responsible for the proceedings.
As of Friday, authorities had not announced a new date for her expected court appearance.
Police Maintain Custody at Hospital
Although Howard-Taylor is receiving treatment at GIMS, security personnel remain responsible for her custody.
State security officials continued to maintain a watch over the former Vice President at the hospital while she received medical care.
The arrangement has created a delicate situation in which authorities must maintain custody of an accused person while ensuring that her medical needs and legal rights are respected.
Coleman’s comments Friday appeared aimed at emphasizing that balance.
Coleman Defends Restrictions on Visitors
The Police Chief also addressed criticism surrounding restrictions placed on people seeking access to Howard-Taylor at the medical facility.
His comments followed concerns raised by the head of the National Human Rights Commission, who had complained that he was denied access to the former Vice President earlier Friday.
Coleman said he regretted that the Human Rights Commission official felt disrespected but defended the decision, stressing that Howard-Taylor’s status as an accused person does not remove her rights.
“Inasmuch as Madam Taylor may be an accused person, she still has her innocence until proven guilty,” Coleman said.
He stressed that GIMS is a medical institution and not a police station where visitors can simply enter without coordination.
“This is a medical facility. It’s not a police station that I could say just come in at any point in time.”
Coleman said visitors should coordinate with Howard-Taylor’s legal representatives before being allowed access.
“I asked them to call her lawyer. If the lawyers agree and say, Mrs. Taylor wants you as a guest, we’ll allow you to go in.”
The Police Chief said the restrictions were not intended to disregard the former Vice President’s rights.
“You have to respect her rights as well,” he said.
Coleman Says He Spoke With Howard-Taylor
Coleman confirmed that he personally spoke with Howard-Taylor at the hospital.
When journalists asked whether she had described the treatment she was receiving or made any statement about her circumstances that could be publicly disclosed, the Police Chief declined to provide details.
“No, nothing worth telling you,” Coleman said.
His comments nevertheless provided the clearest official update yet on Howard-Taylor’s condition since she was taken to GIMS.
Former Vice President Faces Serious Charges
Howard-Taylor’s hospitalization comes after authorities stopped her from leaving Liberia at Roberts International Airport on August 19 and subsequently took her to the headquarters of the Liberia National Police.
The Government of Liberia later announced that she had been formally charged in connection with an alleged transnational narcotics trafficking network.
According to the formal statement issued by Attorney General and Justice Minister Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh, Howard-Taylor faces charges under Liberia’s Controlled Drug and Substance Act of 2023, including alleged unlicensed importation, sale, trading, distribution and transportation of controlled substances, as well as illicit trafficking.
She was also charged under Liberia’s Penal Law with criminal solicitation, criminal facilitation and criminal conspiracy, and faces a money laundering charge under the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Law.
The government has emphasized that the charges are allegations and do not constitute a finding of guilt. Howard-Taylor remains presumed innocent unless and until she is convicted by a court of competent jurisdiction.
International reports have placed the case within Liberia’s broader investigation into an alleged transnational narcotics network following the seizure of a large cocaine shipment reportedly valued at approximately US$317 million.
The Justice Ministry has also announced charges in absentia against three foreign nationals in connection with the alleged network.
Political Reaction Intensifies
Howard-Taylor’s arrest, charging and subsequent hospitalization have generated strong political reactions, particularly from the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and other political actors.
In Bong County, where Howard-Taylor previously served as senator and remains a prominent political figure, residents and political supporters have expressed a mixture of concern, sadness and demands for evidence.
FrontPageAfrica reported that residents questioned the precise evidence underlying the charges while emphasizing that Howard-Taylor should be afforded due process.
Her National Patriotic Party (NPP) has also called for humane treatment, fair trial and protection of her health and physical well-being while supporting the government’s broader fight against illicit drugs.
The NPP has called for an impartial and speedy trial and suggested that authorities consider a custodial arrangement that would allow Howard-Taylor to receive medical care while attending required proceedings.
The political reaction adds another dimension to a case already carrying significant national attention because of Howard-Taylor’s former position as Vice President and her continuing role in Liberian politics.
Government Insists Drug Fight Will Continue
Despite the political controversy surrounding Howard-Taylor’s detention, the government has maintained that the investigation is aimed at dismantling an alleged transnational narcotics network rather than targeting individuals because of their political status.
Justice Minister Tweh has said authorities will pursue the network’s alleged leadership, financiers, facilitators, transporters, operational coordinators and institutional protectors wherever the evidence leads.
The government has also stressed that no person should receive immunity because of political office, nationality or connections.
At the same time, the Justice Ministry has cautioned that the investigation remains active and sensitive and that criminal charges are not judgments of guilt.
That distinction is particularly important as Howard-Taylor’s case moves toward the courts.
Health Now Central to Next Legal Step
For now, the immediate question is Howard-Taylor’s health.
Coleman has made clear that police authorities are relying on the treating physicians’ advice before determining the next step in her custody and judicial process.
He said doctors had requested additional time to observe her and that authorities would proceed based on their recommendations.
The situation means that the former Vice President’s medical condition has become directly relevant to the timing of the legal proceedings.
At the same time, the authorities face the obligation of ensuring that an accused person receives appropriate medical treatment while remaining subject to lawful custody.
Coleman’s own remarks underscored that principle.
“She still has her innocence until proven guilty.”
Jewel’s Next Move Awaits Medical Advice
For now, Howard-Taylor remains at GIMS under security supervision while doctors continue to monitor her condition.
The Police Inspector General’s account provides some reassurance about her immediate health: she is stable, speaking and receiving visitors.
But the decision on when she can leave the hospital—and when the next stage of the legal process can proceed—will depend on the medical assessment.
The case therefore enters a new phase in which health, custody and due process intersect.
As Liberia’s investigation into the alleged transnational narcotics network continues, Howard-Taylor’s condition will remain closely watched by her lawyers, political supporters, government authorities and the wider public.
This remains a developing story. The Liberian Post will continue to follow Howard-Taylor’s health, legal status and the wider narcotics investigation as credible new information becomes available.
For breaking news, in-depth analysis, and exclusive reports from Liberia and around the world, follow The Liberian Post on Facebook (https://web.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576017166570) and X, formerly Twitter (https://x.com/LiberianPost).
