A group under the banner of the Bong County Concerned Citizens has strongly rejected the recent statement issued by the Coalition of Bong Eminent Citizens (CBEC) regarding the ongoing investigation involving former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor.
In a statement issued yesterday in Monrovia, the concerned citizens noted that while they respect every citizen’s constitutional right to due process, they cannot support any attempt to politicize a serious criminal investigation or turn it into an ethnic or county-based issue.
The concerned Bong citizens pointed out that the fight against illicit drugs is a national matter. “It is not a fight against Bong County, the Kpelleh people, or any political group. No individual, regardless of political status or former position, should be placed above the law.”
The group added, “It is therefore troubling that CBEC has already declared Madam Howard-Taylor completely innocent while the investigation and judicial process are still ongoing. If the evidence has not been fully examined by the appropriate authorities and courts, how can any group conclusively determine that a person is not connected to the allegations?”
“We believe the proper approach is simple: let investigators investigate, let the evidence speak, and let the courts determine guilt or innocence. If other individuals have been implicated in the drug investigation, they should also be investigated fairly. Justice must be applied equally to everyone. But the alleged involvement of one person cannot be used as a reason to stop the investigation of another,” the group noted.
They added, “We strongly reject the attempt to portray this matter as an attack on Bong County or the Kpelleh people. Bong County belongs to all of us, and our county should not be dragged into a criminal investigation simply because one of our prominent citizens is involved. We also reject any attempt to use the name of Bong County to pressure investigators, intimidate government institutions, or prejudge an ongoing case. No one is above the law, and no one is beneath the protection of the law.”
According to the concerned citizens, Bong County has suffered enough from political manipulation and ethnic mobilization. “We should not allow political interests to divide our people or turn a serious national security matter into a county-versus-government confrontation.”
They furthered, “We call on the Government to conduct the investigation professionally, transparently, and strictly according to law. We equally call on political actors and self-appointed county representatives to allow the relevant institutions to perform their constitutional duties without interference.”
The citizens say they need the truth, not political theater, justice, not political protection, evidence, not premature conclusions saying that the people of Bong County deserve better. The statement was signed by Joehandsome F. Weahweah Chairman of the Bong concerned citizens, Chairman.
Recently, Bong County Eminent Citizens said the arrest of former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor was an alleged attack linked to her political relevance and Kpelleh identity as a daughter of Bong County. The statement was read by Bong County District Five Representative, Eugine J.M Kollie.
