Lawyers for former Liberian Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor withdrew a request for a preliminary examination in a $317 million drug-trafficking case, a move they said was intended to speed the proceedings.
The Monrovia City Magistrate Court granted the defense application Monday, ending the preliminary examination and ordering the case record sent to the appropriate court for the next stage of litigation.
Defense counsel told the court that Taylor and her legal team had reconsidered their strategy and concluded that withdrawing the request would promote efficient applications of time, money and resources. The lawyers said the move wasn’t intended to delay or prejudice the case. Instead, they believe working smarter and not harder is best strategy for speedy administration of justice.
The prosecution initially noted that the defense had requested the preliminary examination and that prosecutors had already begun presenting evidence. It nonetheless did not object to the withdrawal, while asking the court to recognize what it described as evidence establishing probable cause.
The ex-vice president faces multiple charges,” includes allegations of importing controlled drugs, unlicensed exportation and sale of controlled substances, trafficking, transportation of drugs, abuse of office, criminal conspiracy and facilitation. The charges also include criminal solicitation, money laundering and aiding the consummation of crimes.
