Dr. Moniba Calls on President Boakai to Address the Nation | News

Dr. Clarence K. Moniba, Political Leader of the Liberian National Union (LINU),has called on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to address the Liberian people and establish an independent three-person panel to review the progress and handling of ongoing investigations connected to Liberia’s widening drug crisis.

Dr. Moniba’s call follows the Government’s announcement of criminal charges against former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor and several other Liberian and foreign nationals.

While describing the allegations as extremely serious and affirming that anyone found guilty of drug trafficking or related crimes must be held fully accountable under the law, Dr. Moniba stressed that the fight against drugs must be conducted with equal respect for due process, impartiality, and the rule of law.

“This is not a defense of Madam Howard-Taylor or an attempt to excuse anyone who may have participated in criminal activity. 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.”  

Dr. Moniba emphasized that every accused person is entitled to a free, fair, and impartial trial and called on the Government to move beyond public announcements by presenting credible and admissible evidence before a court of law.

He also raised broader concerns about Liberia’s record of high-profile investigations that have attracted significant public attention but remained unresolved, pointing to the arson investigation and major corruption cases as examples of why the Government must demonstrate its ability to bring important investigations and prosecutions to their lawful conclusions.

Calling the current drug investigation unprecedented in its scale and seriousness, Dr. Moniba said the allegations have implications not only for Liberia’s justice system but also for the country’s national security, international reputation, and the future of its young people. 

CALL FOR PRESIDENTIAL LEADERSHIP

 

Dr. Moniba called on President Boakai to speak directly to the Liberian people and provide clear national leadership regarding the investigation.

He urged the President to reassure the public that the matter will be pursued to its lawful conclusion and that no individual, institution, security official, or politically connected person will be placed above the law.

Dr. Moniba further proposed the establishment of an independent three-person panel of credible Liberians to review the progress of ongoing investigations involving current and former members of Liberia’s security and law-enforcement institutions.

The proposed panel would have a clear and limited mandate: to determine whether the investigations are being conducted professionally and independently and whether the same level of urgency and seriousness is being applied across cases.  Dr. Moniba also called for the panel’s findings to be made public. 

“ONE STANDARD OF JUSTICE”

Dr. Moniba expressed concern about unanswered questions surrounding investigations involving individuals connected to the Police, National Security Agency, Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, and airport security.

He called for greater public clarity regarding which investigations have been completed, which individuals have been formally charged, and which cases remain under active investigation.

“This is not an argument for protecting anyone. It is an argument for one standard of justice.”

He maintained that no current or former government official, security officer, politically connected individual, or other person should receive protection because of public office, institutional connections, or influence.

Dr. Moniba concluded by calling for both accountability and due process as Liberia confronts the drug crisis: “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.”

“Liberia is watching. The world is watching us. Justice must not be selective. Justice must not be delayed. And justice must not be abandoned before the truth is established.”