Ex-Liberian VP’s Arrest Revives Obi Cubana, Ned Okonkwo, E-Money’s 2021 Liberia Visit
The 2021 Liberia visit of Nigerian businessmen Obi Cubana, Ned Okonkwo and E-Money has resurfaced following the arrest of the country’s former vice-president.
The former vice-president, Jewel Howard-Taylor, was arrested on August 19, 2026, at Roberts International Airport while reportedly attempting to leave Liberia.
She was subsequently charged with drug trafficking, money laundering and other offences linked to an alleged transnational narcotics network.
The resurfaced photographs show Howard-Taylor meeting the Nigerian delegation during its October 2021 visit to Monrovia.
The delegation travelled to Liberia on a trade mission aimed at exploring investment opportunities in tourism, real estate, education, energy and youth development.
Howard-Taylor hosted the visitors and facilitated meetings with members of Liberia’s business community during their stay.
The delegation included Obi Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, Emeka Okonkwo, known as E-Money, and real estate businessman Kennedy “Ned” Okonkwo.
Their photographs with the former vice-president have now triggered fresh reactions across social media following her arrest.
However, reports from the period described the visit as a legitimate trade and investment mission.
There is no indication from those reports that the Nigerian businessmen were accused of involvement in the offences currently facing Howard-Taylor.
In a May 2023 interview with Global News Network Liberia, Howard-Taylor explained the circumstances surrounding Cubana’s visit.
“As it relates to Business Tycoon Obi Cubana, he came to Liberia for the first time as mentioned in search of business opportunities in the tourism sector.”
“He was a delegate on a trade mission with many others who had similar ideas,” she said.
Howard-Taylor said she welcomed the delegation because of her efforts to promote Liberia as an investment destination.
“As one of the voices for showcasing Liberia’s many opportunities, I met the delegation and afforded them a chance to see Liberia as a great investment opportunity.”
“I believe any patriotic citizen will take advantage to showcase their nation, try to attract investors and seek good and legitimate partnerships,” she added.
A November 2021 account by Nigerian writer Hope Eghagha also mentioned the delegation’s activities during its Liberia visit.
Eghagha identified Ned Okonkwo, Obi Cubana, Kcee and E-Money among members of an African Children’s Talent Discovery Foundation delegation.
The delegation reportedly attended a corporate lunch with members of Liberia’s business community.
Discussions reportedly included proposals for a five-star hotel and possible investments in agriculture.
Photographs from the meeting circulated online at the time but have gained renewed attention following Howard-Taylor’s arrest.
An X user, Roy Biakpara, reposted photographs from the meeting and drew attention to the businessmen’s earlier visit.
“Obi Cubana, Ned Okonkwo & E Money went to visit this same woman in late 2021 when she was Vice-President,” he wrote.
He described the visit as a purported trade mission involving discussions about possible investments, including tourism.
Other social media users also reacted to the photographs, with some questioning the businessmen’s sources of income.
Others, however, noted that the delegation’s visit had previously been publicly presented as a business mission.
Howard-Taylor Faces Drug Charges
Howard-Taylor’s arrest comes amid a wider investigation by Liberian authorities into an alleged international narcotics network.
Authorities said she was detained at Roberts International Airport while attempting to leave the country.
Three foreign nationals, including two Croatians and a Ukrainian, have also been charged in absentia over their alleged roles.
Liberian authorities said efforts would be made to secure their arrests through domestic and international channels.
The government has separately announced the seizure of several tonnes of cocaine worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Authorities have stressed that the cocaine seizure is not connected to the case involving Howard-Taylor.
Howard-Taylor served as Liberia’s vice-president under former President George Weah between 2018 and 2024.
She entered politics after her former husband, Charles Taylor, left office as Liberia’s president in 2003.
Charles Taylor was later convicted by a UN-backed tribunal for aiding and abetting rebels during Sierra Leone’s civil war.
Following Howard-Taylor’s arrest, the Liberian government vowed to prosecute anyone found connected to the alleged narcotics operation.
“No office is too high, no political connection is too powerful, no nationality provides immunity, and no individual is beyond the reach of the law,” it said.
