MONROVIA, Liberia -The legal team representing former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor has filed a motion seeking her release on bail, while challenging the constitutional and legal basis of the criminal charges against her.
According to a statement issued Thursday by the Office of the Former Vice President, the motion was filed on September 16 before Assigned Circuit Judge Ousman F. Feika of the First Judicial Circuit, Criminal Assizes “C” for Montserrado County.
The defense is asking the court to grant Howard-Taylor bail on personal recognizance or, alternatively, set a reasonable bail amount pending the determination of the case.
The legal team is also challenging the prosecution on several constitutional and procedural grounds, including the timing of the alleged offenses, the law under which she is being prosecuted, and the circumstances surrounding her arrest.
The defense maintains that Howard-Taylor was arrested at Roberts International Airport on August 19, 2026, without an arrest warrant while she was traveling to Ghana to attend a women’s leadership conference.
Her lawyers argue that the arrest violated Article 21(b) of Liberia’s 1986 Constitution, which addresses protections afforded to individuals against unlawful arrest and detention.
A central argument in the bail motion concerns the law being applied to the alleged offenses.
According to the defense, the government’s writ of arrest references alleged activities dating back to 2021 and 2022 but relies on provisions of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act of 2023, which was enacted on July 19, 2023.
The defense argues that applying the 2023 law to alleged conduct that occurred before its enactment would violate Article 21(a) of the Liberian Constitution, which prohibits ex post facto criminal prosecution.
The lawyers further contend that the 2014 Drug Act was the applicable law during the period in question and that the alleged offenses were bailable under that law.
The legal team is also challenging the absence of a Grand Jury indictment, citing the 2025 Supreme Court case Republic of Liberia v. James Kollie et al.
The defense argues that an unsworn magistrate’s writ, without a Grand Jury indictment, should not deprive Howard-Taylor of her constitutional right to bail where proof of the alleged offenses has not been established to the required standard.
The motion therefore asks the court to recognize the 2014 Drug Act as the applicable law for determining the classification of the alleged offenses and to grant bail or provide other appropriate relief in the interest of justice.
The former Vice President’s office also highlighted Howard-Taylor’s more than 24 years of public service, including her tenure as Senator for Bong County and Vice President of Liberia from 2018 to 2024.
The statement said Howard-Taylor has no criminal record and remains committed to clearing her name through the judicial process and the rule of law.
Her office has meanwhile called for calm as her legal team continues efforts to safeguard her constitutional rights and pursue legal remedies before the courts.