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SAUDI RICE TRIAL OPENS WEDNESDAY AFTER 15 JURORS CHOSEN FOR 13 DEFENDANTS

LEGAL August 20, 2026 0

MONROVIA — The long-awaited trial over the alleged mishandling of a Saudi Arabian rice donation is set to open Wednesday, August 19, following the completion of jury selection at Criminal Court “C” in Monrovia. The court on Tuesday, August 18, empaneled 15 jurors to hear the case involving 13 former government officials accused of illegally handling a humanitarian rice shipment intended for vulnerable Liberians and victims of disasters. The panel consists of six men and nine women, completing the number of jurors required for the proceedings to move forward. At the center of the case is a 2023 donation from Saudi Arabia through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center. The consignment contained 29,412 bags of rice, with each bag weighing 25 kilograms. The total shipment was approximately 735,300 kilograms and was designated to assist an estimated 88,236 beneficiaries. Prosecutors allege that 25,054 bags were improperly handled or disposed of in violation of the intended purpose of the donation. The indictment places the estimated value of the rice allegedly involved at about US$425,918, correcting an earlier figure of US$500,000 that had been reported. The defendants have denied the allegations and entered pleas of not guilty. They are facing multiple criminal counts, including theft of property, economic sabotage, misapplication of entrusted property, abuse of office and criminal conspiracy. With the jury now seated, Wednesday’s proceedings are expected to mark the beginning of the prosecution’s presentation of evidence. Prosecutors are expected to call witnesses and introduce evidence in support of the indictment, while defense attorneys will have the opportunity to challenge the prosecution’s case through cross-examination and later present their own evidence. The rice was officially received by Liberia in 2023 for humanitarian distribution through the National Disaster Management Agency. The trial is expected to attract significant public attention because of the number of former officials involved and the humanitarian purpose of the donated food. All 13 defendants remain legally presumed innocent unless the prosecution proves the charges against them beyond the required legal standard and a competent court finds them guilty.

CDC SAYS FORMER VICE PRESIDENT TAYLOR’S ARREST IS BASED ON ‘BOGUS CHARGES’

POLITICS August 20, 2026 0

MONROVIA — The Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has condemned what it describes as the harassment, intimidation, detention and alleged fabrication of charges against former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor, accusing the government of abusing state power and potentially weaponizing the justice system. In a statement issued Wednesday, August 19, 2026, the CDC said the former vice president was being pursued without what it considers a clear, credible and transparent explanation of the allegations against her. The opposition party argued that the actions raise concerns about possible political persecution and could divert public attention from other individuals whose roles, it said, warrant thorough and impartial investigation. “The degrading treatment” allegedly meted out to Howard-Taylor, according to the CDC, constitutes an affront to her dignity and constitutional rights and poses a threat to Liberia’s democratic stability. The CDC called for an independent, transparent and credible investigation into the matter, stressing that the government should not rely on what it described as unsubstantiated charges, intimidation or procedural tactics to protect security officials or other state actors who may be implicated. The party further accused the government of attempting to damage Howard-Taylor’s reputation and manipulate public opinion through state institutions, describing such conduct as a “tyrannical abuse of power.” The CDC said it would resist what it considers politically motivated actions through lawful and democratic means. The party is demanding that the government publicly disclose the factual and legal basis for its actions against Howard-Taylor and guarantee her constitutional rights, dignity, safety and unhindered access to legal counsel. It is also calling for an immediate end to what it described as politically motivated harassment and intimidation and wants every person implicated in the matter investigated independently and impartially, regardless of political affiliation or official position. The CDC also appealed to civil society organizations, religious leaders, the media, political parties, members of the diplomatic community and other democratic forces to defend constitutional governance, due process and the rule of law. The statement was signed by Atty. Janga Augustus Kowo, National Chairman of the Coalition for Democratic Change. The CDC concluded that any attack on the rights of one political leader should be viewed as a warning to all Liberians, urging citizens to defend democratic principles and constitutional rights.

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SAUDI RICE TRIAL OPENS WEDNESDAY AFTER 15 JURORS CHOSEN FOR 13 DEFENDANTS

CDC SAYS FORMER VICE PRESIDENT TAYLOR’S ARREST IS BASED ON ‘BOGUS CHARGES’

Politics

CDC SAYS FORMER VICE PRESIDENT TAYLOR’S ARREST IS BASED ON ‘BOGUS CHARGES’

CDC CONDEMNS POLICE INVITATION TO SENATOR KONNEH, DEMANDS INDEPENDENT PROBE INTO US$336M COCAINE SEIZURES

Speech

PRESIDENT JOSEPH BOAKAI DELIVERS SPEECH AT 80TH UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

PRESIDENT JOSEPH N. BOAKAI DELIVERS SPEECH AT FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN, UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY