A 2021 meeting between then-Liberian Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor and prominent Nigerian businessmen Obi Cubana, E-Money and Ned Okonkwo has resurfaced following the former vice president’s recent arrest and charging on drug trafficking and related offences.
Howard-Taylor, who served as Liberia’s vice president from 2018 to 2024 under former President George Weah, hosted Obinna Iyiegbu (widely known as Obi Cubana), Emeka Okonkwo (E-Money) and Kennedy Okonkwo (Ned Okonkwo) in late 2021. The encounter was described at the time as a business and investment discussion, with particular focus on tourism opportunities in Liberia.
A video uploaded to YouTube in early November 2021, titled “Obi Cubana, Ned Okonkwo, E Money, hosted by Liberia’s Vice President Jewel Taylor,” documented the meeting and referred to it as a business investment engagement.
In a 2023 interview, Howard-Taylor addressed reports linking her to the Nigerian visitors. She stated that Obi Cubana had travelled to Liberia for the first time as part of a trade mission seeking opportunities in the tourism sector. She said she met the delegation in her official capacity to promote Liberia as an investment destination, describing the discussions as legitimate efforts to attract business and expand the country’s economy.
The meeting has drawn fresh attention this week after Liberian authorities charged Howard-Taylor with drug trafficking, money laundering and other offences. She was detained on 19 August 2026 at Roberts International Airport near Monrovia while attempting to leave the country. The charges form part of an investigation into an alleged transnational narcotics network, linked by authorities to a major cocaine seizure valued at approximately $317 million.
Howard-Taylor has not publicly commented on the new charges. Her lawyer has indicated that formal legal processes will be followed once the indictment is presented in court.
The resurfacing of the 2021 photographs and video has prompted renewed discussion online about the former vice president’s past associations, though no direct connection has been established between the Nigerian businessmen and the current criminal allegations against her.
Howard-Taylor remains a significant political figure in Liberia, having previously served as First Lady during the presidency of her former husband, Charles Taylor, and later as a senator for Bong County before becoming the country’s first female vice president.
By Cynthia Chika
