The Cubana Group has dismissed attempts to connect a 2021 trade and investment visit to Liberia involving its Chairman, Chief (Dr.) Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, with allegations recently levelled against former Liberian Vice-President Jewel Howard-Taylor.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the group described the October 2021 visit as a legitimate and openly conducted business mission focused on identifying investment opportunities, strengthening economic relations and exploring partnerships in areas such as tourism, hospitality, real estate, agriculture and youth development.
The group said the visit was part of a broader Nigerian trade delegation that travelled to Monrovia to engage Liberian businesses and explore opportunities for investment.
According to the Cubana Group, it was unfair and misleading to revisit the visit years later and suggest that it had any connection with allegations involving Howard-Taylor, who was serving as Liberia’s Vice-President at the time.
Visit Was a Legitimate Business Engagement
The group explained that international engagements with government officials, investors, business executives and other stakeholders are a normal part of its operations across Africa and beyond.
It noted that Howard-Taylor was the serving Vice-President of Liberia when the delegation visited the country, making a meeting with her during an official trade mission neither unusual nor secretive.
The Cubana Group stressed that the engagement was publicly known, with photographs and reports of the visit circulated at the time.
It further noted that Howard-Taylor had previously described the visit as part of a delegation seeking business opportunities in Liberia, particularly within the tourism sector.
The former Vice-President had reportedly presented Liberia’s investment opportunities and sought to facilitate partnerships that could contribute to the country’s economic development.
Group Rejects Guilt by Association
The Cubana Group argued that legitimate interaction with a public official cannot automatically be interpreted as evidence of involvement in allegations that emerge years later.
It said there was nothing in the recent report establishing a connection between Obi Cubana, the Cubana Group, the 2021 trade mission and the allegations currently involving the former Liberian Vice-President.
The organisation maintained that the fact that two individuals met during an official business engagement does not establish involvement in one another’s subsequent activities.
It therefore rejected what it described as an attempt to create suspicion through the use of photographs from the publicly acknowledged meeting.
International Business Activities Are Open
The group also stated that the Liberia mission was one of several international business engagements undertaken by Obi Cubana and his associates.
According to the statement, the businessman has participated in meetings and investment missions involving government representatives, private-sector leaders and investors in several African and international markets.
The group said such engagements are part of its broader strategy of identifying investment opportunities, building cross-border partnerships, attracting capital and expanding African businesses.
It added that there had never been any attempt to conceal these activities because they were legitimate business engagements.
Cubana Group Calls for Fair Reporting
The organisation urged media organisations and members of the public to assess the 2021 Liberia visit based on the facts and circumstances surrounding the trip at the time, rather than through the lens of allegations that emerged years later.
The Cubana Group said available records show that the delegation travelled to Liberia as part of a trade mission, explored opportunities in sectors including tourism and real estate, and held discussions with members of the Liberian business community.
It maintained that these facts were consistent with its explanation of the purpose of the visit.
The group also stressed that any allegations of wrongdoing against an individual should be determined by competent authorities through evidence and due process.
It said people who had legitimately interacted with a public official in an official capacity should not automatically become subjects of suspicion because allegations were subsequently made against that official.
The Cubana Group reaffirmed its commitment to legitimate enterprise, responsible investment, job creation, youth development and the expansion of African businesses across international markets.
It added that Obi Cubana would continue to engage governments, investors, business leaders and institutions where legitimate opportunities exist to promote investment, create jobs and support economic development across Africa.
Signed:
Management
Cubana Group
August 23, 2026
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