–Veep Jewel Howard Taylor Seeks Bail
–Prosecution May Fight To Deny Her Bond
September 17, 2026
In a dramatically public spectacle in the glare of onlookers, agents of the Liberian police moved on the vehicle ferrying former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor to the Roberts International Airport and stopped her from leaving the country. What followed was presentment of a charge sheet of eight drug related charges. Madam Taylor was whisked to the Monrovia Central Prison where she spent a night. But when the Stipendiary Magisterial Court assumed jurisdiction for a preliminary examination requested by her lawyers, the defendant’s counsel rescinded their request and waived Preliminary Examination. But now, as Blaze FM Manager Alexander Nyeneken reports, Madam Taylor is petitioning the Criminal Court C to grant her bail.
Former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor’s charges include Unlicensed Importation, Sale, and Distribution of controlled substances, which are nonbailable. She is currently under house arrest, released from jail on humanitarian grounds, Madam Taylor seeks to appeal to the conscience of the Judge to let her stay out of prison while she fight the charges against her.
In their quest to keep Madam Taylor out of jail, her legal counsels have petitioned the Criminal Court C to grant her bail after her lawyers withdrew their earlier request for a preliminary examination. The petition for Bail seems an uphill legal hurdle since the major drug charges are unbailable under the new Drug law of July 2023.
The defense formally waived preliminary examination before the Monrovia Stipendary Magisterial Court on September 7th, a decision that clears the way for the case to advance to the next stage of the criminal proceedings.
The legal team is now challenging the continued detention of the former Vice President, arguing that the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act of 2023 cannot be applied retroactively to alleged offenses said to have occurred in 2021 and 2022.
According to the defense, the court must first determine which law was applicable at the time the alleged offenses occurred before deciding whether the charges are legally classified as non-bailable.
Taylor’s lawyers are asking Criminal Court “C” to release her on her own recognizance or under conditions requiring her to appear before the court whenever her presence is required.
The former Vice President faces multiple charges, including alleged importation of controlled drugs, unlicensed exportation of controlled drugs and substances, unlawful sale and transportation of controlled substances, illicit trafficking, criminal conspiracy, criminal facilitation, criminal solicitation, money laundering and aiding the consummation of a crime.
The defense had initially requested a preliminary examination to scrutinize the evidence presented by the prosecution. However, the request was withdrawn after proceedings had already begun, with the court granting the application and directing that the development be communicated to Criminal Court “C,” where the matter is now pending.
Taylor was previously granted compassionate medical release by Criminal Court “C” on September 4 and transferred from the Monrovia Central Prison to guarded home detention. The court imposed strict conditions, including 24-hour security, restrictions on visitors and travel, and requirements relating to her medical care.
The medical release did not terminate the criminal proceedings against her. The case remains active, with the prosecution expected to respond to the defense’s latest bail arguments.
The court will ultimately determine whether Taylor should remain under the existing detention arrangement or be granted bail under conditions it considers appropriate.
As the proceedings continue, Taylor remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
