Joseph N. Boakai Jr., son of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, has publicly denied allegations linking him to narcotics trafficking, describing the claims as false and calling for a full, impartial investigation by Liberia’s security agencies.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Boakai Jr. said the fight against drug trafficking should transcend politics and personal interests, stressing that those responsible for bringing narcotics into Liberia must be identified, prosecuted, and held accountable.
“Liberia is confronting one of the greatest challenges facing our generation and every Liberian, regardless of political affiliation or social standing, should want those responsible for the presence of drugs in this country to be identified, prosecuted, and brought to justice. This fight is bigger than politics and it is bigger than personalities,” he said.
His statement follows growing public speculation on social media after his name surfaced in connection with an ongoing drug-related controversy.
Boakai Jr. said he had intentionally refrained from responding to previous rumors over the past three years, believing that doing so would distract from his personal life and the work of government institutions. However, he said the gravity of the current allegations made it necessary to respond publicly.
He maintained that he has deliberately distanced himself from government affairs since early 2024 to avoid any perception that he exercises influence because he is the President’s son.
“I have never held myself out as a government official. I neither make government decisions nor direct government institutions. My relationship to the Presidency is one of a family-not constitutional authority,” he stated.
Addressing the allegations directly, Boakai Jr. recounted receiving a WhatsApp message from a Colombian telephone number at about 3:00 a.m. accusing him of involvement in drug trafficking and threatening him. He said he dismissed the message as an attempt to fabricate a connection between him and criminal activity, responded to reject the allegations, blocked the sender, and reported the matter to the Liberia National Police and the National Security Agency.
According to him, a video later circulated online displaying his WhatsApp profile picture, telephone number, and the threatening message, but omitted his response denying the accusations.
Boakai Jr. also explained his relationship with Ibrahima Touré, whose photograph appeared alongside his in the circulating video. He said the two met earlier this year through a mutual acquaintance, Habib Sheriff, and discussed sports development, including a proposed collaboration with the Real Madrid Foundation, as well as private business opportunities.
He insisted that none of those discussions involved illegal activities.
“At no point did Mr. Touré asked me to facilitate anything illegal. At no point did he ask me to use my family name or any perceived influence to obtain favors from the Government,” he said.
Boakai Jr. also addressed public speculation surrounding his friendship with businessman Mark Kuiah, saying friendship should never be interpreted as immunity from prosecution.
“If any friend of mine is found to have violated the laws of this Republic, that person must answer before the law like every other citizen. I will never interfere with that process. But likewise, I will never falsely accuse someone simply to satisfy public opinion,” he declared.
He unequivocally denied ever participating in drug trafficking or using his relationship with the Presidency to shield anyone from accountability.
“I have never participated in discussions involving narcotics trafficking. I have never facilitated illegal drug activity. I have never accepted money in exchange for influence. I have never used my relationship with the Presidency to shield anyone from accountability.”
Boakai Jr. said he welcomes any investigation by the Liberia National Police, the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, the National Security Agency, or any other competent authority.
“I have nothing to hide,” he said, adding that any credible evidence against him should be presented to law enforcement institutions rather than circulated on social media.
Concluding his statement, Boakai Jr. urged Liberians, particularly young people, to support the national fight against narcotics and stand behind security institutions as they pursue those responsible for drug trafficking.
He emphasized that justice must be based on facts, evidence, and due process, not speculation or rumor.
“History has taught us that rumors come and go, but truth endures… I ask only that they be allowed to do their work without fear, without favor, and without political influence,” he said.
