MONROVIA, Liberia — Assigned Circuit Judge of Criminal Court “C” at the Temple of Justice, His Honor Ousman F. Feika, has denied a motion filed by former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor seeking to be admitted to bail in connection with an ongoing drug-related criminal case.
Judge Feika handed down the ruling on Thursday, September 24, 2026, rejecting the defense’s argument that the prosecution is unconstitutional because the alleged offenses began before the enactment of Liberia’s Controlled Drugs and Substances Act of 2023.
The bail motion followed Taylor’s arrest and detention in connection with allegations of involvement in controlled-drug activities. According to the prosecution’s charge sheet, the former Vice President faces allegations including importation of controlled drugs, unlicensed exportation of controlled drugs and substances, unlicensed sales and trading, in-transit transportation of controlled substances, abuse of office, illicit trafficking, criminal conspiracy, criminal solicitation, money laundering, and aiding the consummation of a crime.
In seeking bail, Taylor’s lawyers argued that the allegations contained in the writ of arrest relate to events allegedly occurring in 2021 and 2022—before the 2023 law came into effect.
The defense relied on Article 21(a) of the Liberian Constitution, which prohibits the retroactive application of criminal laws and states that no person shall be subjected to a law or punishment that was not in effect when an offense was committed. Liberia's judiciary has similarly recognized Article 21(a) as the constitutional protection against ex post facto laws.
The prosecution, however, countered that the alleged criminal conduct was not limited to 2021 and 2022, but allegedly continued through August 2026. Prosecutors therefore maintained that the charges fall within applicable laws governing controlled substances and related offenses.
In his ruling, Judge Feika held that the fact that alleged criminal conduct may have commenced in 2021 or 2022 does not, by itself, prevent prosecution if the government alleges—and ultimately proves—that the conduct continued through August 2026.
The court relied on Chapter 4, Section 4.6 of Liberia’s Criminal Procedure Law, which provides that an offense is considered committed when the last act or event necessary to constitute the offense occurs. The provision also addresses continuing courses of conduct, providing that an offense is committed when the final act in that course of conduct occurs or when the accused terminates their involvement.
Judge Feika further held that the alleged money-laundering transactions extending through August 2026 fall within the applicable statutory limitation period, even if the proceeds involved originated from earlier alleged criminal conduct.
The ruling, however, does not determine Taylor’s guilt or innocence. The court expressly preserved her right to challenge at trial whether the prosecution can establish the required elements of each offense charged.
“The motion to admit to bail on statute-of-limitation grounds is therefore denied, without prejudice to the defendant’s right at trial to challenge whether the prosecution has established the elements of each charged offense,” Judge Feika stated.
Taylor had previously been granted compassionate medical release from prison and placed under strict home detention while the criminal proceedings continued.
The latest ruling means her defense will continue to contest the prosecution’s case as the criminal proceedings move forward.