Shortly former President George Weah touched down at the RIA from his months long foreign travels, he primarily condemned the arrest, and the subsequent prosecution of his former Vice President, Jewel Howard-Taylor.
Weah also accused the governing administration of Joseph Nyuma Boakai of undermining the rule of law, and “exploiting the judiciary to target political opponents.”
He told journalists soon he returned on Wednesday, September 2, at his Rehab Residence in Paynesville that the charges against Madam Howard-Taylor were, “politically motivated, and indicative of a troubling departure from democratic norms.”
Weah: “The rule of law is being tampered with. What is happening with the former VP is unacceptable.” He further alleged that the government is abusing its powers, emphasizing the need to protect the justice system. “I believe that at some points, we must safeguard the integrity of our justice system.” On August 19, security officers arrested Madam Taylor at the Roberts International Airport when she attempted to leave the country, and subsequently charged her in connection with an investigation into transnational narcotics network.
Criminal Court ‘C’ has charged Madam Taylor with multiple crimes, including Money laundering, unlicensed importation, distribution, and illicit trafficking of controlled substances linked to a cocaine seizure valued at approximately US$317 million.
Madam Taylor has since be detained at the Monrovia Central Prison, awaiting court proceedings.
Weah earlier told a teeming crowd of his supporters how he believes: “the rule of law is being tampered with, and the justice system is poor.”
He sounded the alarm over a growing interference in the judicial system, and a deteriorating commitment to fairness under the law.
Weah’s Prison Visit In a related development, on Thursday, September 3, Weah visited Madam Taylor at the South Beach Prison facility where his supporters had gathered.
Despite a heavy security presence around the correctional facility, supporters, and sympathizers of the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) assembled outside the prison, chanting pro-Weah slogans. They portrayed Weah as a leader they now believe delivered a better “economic experience.”
Several supporters interviewed at the scene criticized the government’s ongoing campaign against illicit drugs, saying: “We support efforts to combat narcotics, but object to a selective enforcement against former government officials, and political opponents.”
