Published: June 8, 2025
MONROVIA, Liberia — Former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor on Sunday called for due process and emphasized the supremacy of the law as she visited jailed former House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and three other lawmakers held at the Monrovia Central Prison.
“I am saddened by the situation,” Howard-Taylor told reporters outside the prison compound. “But we must allow the law to take its course. I do not want to prejudice the matter given my status as a lawyer.”
Howard-Taylor, who served as Liberia’s first female vice president from 2018 to 2024, referred to Koffa as her “brother” and confirmed she also met with Representatives Dixon Wlawlee Seboe (District 16, Montserrado), Jacob Debee (District 3, Grand Gedeh), and Abu Bana Kamara (District 15, Montserrado), all of whom, she said, were “in good health and hopeful.”
The four lawmakers have spent two nights behind bars following their arrest and remand by the Monrovia City Court. All four lawmakers now face multiple charges, including arson, criminal mischief, recklessly endangering another person, attempted murder, criminal facilitation, solicitation, and conspiracy.
Howard-Taylor, who herself is a trained lawyer, struck a tone of cautious neutrality while underlining the importance of legal accountability. “The law will be applied in this case,” she said. “Justice must prevail.”
The detentions have triggered a political backlash from the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), the party under whose ticket the lawmakers were elected. Party officials have announced plans for a protest Monday morning outside the Monrovia City Court, demanding the lawmakers’ immediate and unconditional release.
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