–Former President Calls Charges Against His Ex-VP “Bogus,” Says Rule of Law Is Being Tampered With as Political Tensions Rise
MONROVIA, Liberia — Former President George Manneh Weah on Thursday, September 3, visited his former Vice President, Jewel Howard-Taylor, at the Monrovia Central Prison, turning his return to Liberia into a direct political intervention in one of the most explosive cases facing the Joseph Boakai administration.
Weah’s visit to the prison, popularly known as South Beach, came less than 24 hours after he returned to Liberia following nearly five months abroad and publicly condemned the criminal charges against Howard-Taylor as “bogus” and “unacceptable.”
The former President had promised on Wednesday night to visit his former running mate, who is being held in connection with the government’s investigation into an alleged transnational narcotics network.
During his first media appearance after returning home, Weah accused the government of undermining Liberia’s justice system.
“I think the rule of law is being tampered with,” Weah said.
“I believe that what is going on with my former VP, I mean, they’re all bogus and it’s unacceptable.”
The former President added: “You can’t, in our true democracy, you can’t behave in this way. It’s wrong.”
Jewel Case Becomes Political Flashpoint
Howard-Taylor, who served as Vice President during Weah’s 2018–2024 presidency, is facing multiple criminal charges arising from a major drug investigation.
The government has accused her of offenses including controlled-drug importation, transportation and distribution, criminal conspiracy, facilitation, solicitation and money laundering. The allegations remain unproven in court, and Howard-Taylor is presumed innocent unless convicted.
The former Vice President’s preliminary examination has been delayed amid health concerns and is expected to resume Friday, September 4. Her lawyers have also challenged aspects of her detention.
Weah, however, has already reached his own conclusion about the case.
“Tampering with justice is wrong,” he declared, saying there would come a time when Liberians would have to “protect” the justice system.
Weah: “Our Country Is in Shambles”
The former President used his return to announce plans for broader opposition consultations, saying political leaders must unite to determine how Liberia can move forward.
“We’re all stakeholders,” Weah said. “It’s the voice of the people, the opposition. And we need to listen to each other and find a way to move forward.”
He offered a blunt assessment of the country under President Boakai:
“Our country is in shambles.”
Weah said his proposed opposition meeting is intended to help strengthen democracy and provide a platform for political leaders to “articulate how Liberia can move forward.”
His return therefore appears to signal a more active phase of opposition politics, with the former President positioning himself at the center of the CDC’s response to the Boakai administration.
Weah Claims Stronger Support
Asked about the large crowd that welcomed him home, Weah said he was not surprised.
“There’s love for me in this country,” he said. “I’m not surprised.”
“I know how much Liberians love me. I love Liberians very much.”
He also rejected suggestions that he had been avoiding Liberia.
“This is my home,” Weah said. “So I will be safe.”
But One Major Claim Does Not Add Up
In making the case for his continuing political strength, Weah referred to the closeness of the 2023 presidential election, saying it was decided by “less than 3,000 votes.”
Official election results, however, tell a different story.
The National Elections Commission’s final runoff figures show Boakai defeating Weah by 28,147 votes—804,087 votes to Weah’s 775,940.
Weah conceded the election shortly after the November 2023 runoff and congratulated Boakai.
The discrepancy is significant because Weah invoked the closeness of the election while arguing that his political movement remains deeply rooted among Liberians.
“We Are the Party of the People”
Weah also used his homecoming to revive the political message that carried him to the presidency in 2017.
“We brought a true revolution,” he declared.
“A revolution of the people.”
“We are the party of the people.”
He said the CDC’s mission remains to bring “new leaders with new ideas” and create opportunities for young Liberians to enter national leadership.
With Howard-Taylor behind bars, a major narcotics investigation unfolding and opposition leaders preparing for consultations, Weah’s return has immediately raised the political temperature in Liberia.
His visit to South Beach was therefore more than a former President checking on his former Vice President.
It was a political statement: George Weah is back, and he intends to be heard.
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).
