Monrovia, Liberia – As Liberia’s sprawling narcotics investigation continues to attract national attention, Liberian National Union (LINU) Political Leader Dr. Clarence K. Moniba is demanding greater transparency from the government, insisting that the country’s war against drugs must be pursued without political favoritism and without sacrificing the rights of accused persons.
Moniba’s intervention follows the government’s announcement of criminal charges against former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor and several other Liberian and foreign nationals amid a widening investigation into alleged drug trafficking activities.
Rather than focusing solely on the individuals already named in the investigation, Moniba has broadened the debate to include the government’s overall approach to narcotics-related investigations and prosecutions.
He is calling for the publication of clearer information about the status of cases involving individuals associated with Liberia’s security and law-enforcement institutions, including the Liberia National Police, National Security Agency, Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency and airport security.
For Moniba, the central question is whether Liberia is applying the same standard of justice to everyone.
“This is not an argument for protecting anyone. It is an argument for one standard of justice,” he said.
Moniba said he supports accountability for anyone proven guilty of drug trafficking or related offenses.
However, he cautioned against allowing public allegations, political pressure or media attention to substitute for the judicial process.
“This is not a defense of Madam Howard-Taylor or an attempt to excuse anyone who may have participated in criminal activity,” he said. “If any person is found guilty of drug trafficking or related crimes, that person must be held fully accountable under the law. But accusations are not convictions.”
The LINU leader said the government must present credible and admissible evidence before a court and allow the judicial process to determine the guilt or innocence of those accused.
He emphasized that the principle of due process applies to everyone, including current and former government officials, security personnel, politically connected individuals and ordinary citizens.
To address growing public questions surrounding the investigations, Moniba is proposing that President Boakai establish an independent three-person panel of credible Liberians.
He said the proposed body should have a narrowly defined mandate rather than taking over the responsibilities of investigators, prosecutors or the courts.
According to the proposal, the panel would examine whether ongoing investigations are being handled professionally and independently and whether authorities are demonstrating the same level of urgency across related cases.
Moniba also wants the panel’s findings made public, arguing that transparency would help restore public confidence and answer questions that have emerged as the drug investigation has expanded.
He said the proposed review should particularly examine cases involving current and former members of Liberia’s security and law-enforcement institutions.
Beyond the drug investigation, Moniba pointed to what he described as Liberia’s history of high-profile investigations that have generated intense public interest but have not always reached clear conclusions.
He referenced the arson investigation and major corruption cases as examples of why the government must demonstrate its ability to move investigations through the justice system and, where warranted, secure prosecutions and final judicial determinations.
He said the present drug investigation provides the Boakai administration with an opportunity to demonstrate that Liberia’s institutions can handle a major national-security matter transparently and professionally.
Moniba described the current narcotics case as unprecedented in both scale and seriousness, warning that its implications could extend beyond the courtroom.
He said the outcome could affect public confidence in Liberia’s justice system, the country’s international reputation and the prospects of young people whose future could be undermined by the continued growth of illegal drugs.
At the center of Moniba’s proposal is a direct appeal to President Boakai to address the nation.
He wants the President to explain the government’s position, reassure citizens that the investigation will be pursued to its lawful conclusion and make clear that no individual or institution will be protected because of political influence or official status.
Moniba said a presidential address would provide an opportunity to calm public concerns, explain the government’s commitment to the rule of law and reaffirm that the investigation is being handled without political interference.
He also wants greater clarity about the investigations themselves.
Among the questions he believes require public answers are which investigations have been completed, which individuals have been formally charged and which cases remain under active investigation.
According to Moniba, transparency on those questions is essential to preventing speculation and ensuring that the public can distinguish between allegations, active investigations, formal charges and convictions.
Moniba’s statement seeks to draw a distinction between demanding accountability and defending accused individuals.
He said Liberia can pursue alleged drug traffickers aggressively while still respecting constitutional and legal protections.
“The accused deserve due process. The Liberian people deserve the truth. And at this critical moment, the country deserves to hear directly from its President,” he said.
He warned that the government’s handling of the case will be judged not simply by the number of arrests or charges announced, but by whether the investigations ultimately produce credible evidence and lawful judicial outcomes.
“Justice must not be selective. Justice must not be delayed. And justice must not be abandoned before the truth is established,” Moniba said.
