–President’s Son Says He Never Facilitated Drug Trafficking, Welcomes Full Investigation as US$317.7 Million Cocaine Bust Sparks Political Storm
MONROVIA, Liberia – For the first time since his name surfaced in connection with Liberia’s record-breaking US$317.7 million cocaine seizure, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s eldest son, Joseph N. Boakai Jr., popularly known as “Jojo,” has publicly responded to allegations linking him to individuals accused of involvement in the country’s largest-ever narcotics case.
In a six-page statement released Wednesday, July 29, Jojo Boakai categorically denied any involvement in drug trafficking or any attempt to use his family name to influence government decisions, insisting that he has “nothing to hide” and is prepared to cooperate fully with any investigation.
The statement comes days after a viral video circulated widely on social media, featuring WhatsApp screenshots, photographs and allegations purporting to connect him to individuals allegedly associated with the transnational drug network behind the massive cocaine shipment intercepted by Liberian authorities.
Calling the accusations false, politically charged and unsupported by evidence, Boakai said the time had come to address the Liberian people directly.
“Because my name has now become part of a matter of significant national concern, I believe I owe the Liberian people a truthful account,” he wrote.
“This will most likely be the first and only time I publicly address these allegations.”
“I Have Never Participated in Drug Trafficking”
Boakai issued one of his strongest denials yet, declaring that he has never participated in narcotics trafficking or used his relationship with the Presidency to shield anyone from criminal 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 to the Presidency to shield anyone from accountability.”
He described those declarations not as carefully crafted public relations talking points but as “simply the truth.”
He further emphasized that if any friend or associate is found to have broken Liberian law, they should face justice without interference.
“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.”
Distance From Government
Seeking to counter longstanding public perceptions that he wields influence inside government, Boakai disclosed that at the beginning of 2024 he deliberately distanced himself from day-to-day government affairs.
According to him, the decision was intended to ensure that government officials could perform their duties independently without suggestions that he was exercising influence simply 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 family—not constitutional authority.”
He also noted that after leaving the Liberia Maritime Authority, he intentionally stayed away from the institution except for one visit following the elections to thank former colleagues.
Responding to the Viral Video
Central to Boakai’s statement was his response to the viral video that triggered the latest controversy.
According to him, the sequence of events began when he received a WhatsApp message around 3:00 a.m. from a number originating from Colombia accusing him of involvement in narcotics trafficking and threatening him.
Rather than engaging further, he said he responded by rejecting the allegation, blocked the sender, took screenshots and immediately shared them with both the Liberia National Police (LNP) and the National Security Agency (NSA).
The following day, he said, a video appeared online displaying his WhatsApp profile photograph, telephone number and portions of the threatening message.
However, he argued that the video’s creators deliberately omitted his response denying the allegations.
“The creators of the video chose not to include my response to the message, and they chose not to show that I rejected the allegations.
These omissions fundamentally altered the impression the video sought to create.”
Explaining His Relationship With Ibrahima Touré
Among the most discussed aspects of the viral video was Boakai’s photograph with Ibrahima Touré, a man whose name has emerged during discussions surrounding the ongoing narcotics investigation.
Boakai acknowledged knowing Touré but rejected suggestions that the relationship involved criminal activity.
He said he first met Touré through a mutual acquaintance, Habib Sheriff, a Liberian who had returned from the United States seeking legitimate investment opportunities.
According to Boakai, discussions with Touré centered primarily on sports development and a proposed visit involving the Real Madrid Foundation.
He said meetings later expanded to include companies involved in medical technology and telemedicine interested in exploring healthcare opportunities in Liberia.
He insisted that Touré never requested assistance with illegal activities and never asked him to use his family connections to obtain government favors.
“At no point did Mr. Touré ask 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.”
Friendship With Mark Kuiah
Boakai also addressed public speculation surrounding his friendship with businessman Mark Kuiah, another figure whose name has circulated in connection with the ongoing drug investigation.
He described Kuiah as a longtime friend but emphasized that friendship should never be interpreted as immunity from prosecution.
“Friendship is not immunity from the law.”
He added that throughout the years he had never been given any reason to believe Kuiah was engaged in criminal activity.
Calls for Independent Investigation
Rather than resisting scrutiny, Boakai urged Liberian authorities to investigate him thoroughly.
He specifically named the Liberia National Police, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the National Security Agency, saying each institution would receive his full cooperation.
“I welcome a full, impartial, and thorough investigation.”
“If the Liberia National Police, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the National Security Agency, or any competent authority requires my cooperation, they will have it fully.”
“I have nothing to hide.”
He also urged investigators to follow evidence rather than social media narratives.
“Justice requires evidence.
Justice requires due process.
Justice requires fairness.”
Appeal to Liberians
Boakai appealed to the public to allow Liberia’s justice institutions to determine the facts instead of relying on rumors and online speculation.
He acknowledged that, as the President’s son, his conduct naturally attracts greater public scrutiny but said such scrutiny should be guided by evidence.
“What I respectfully ask is that scrutiny be guided by facts rather than assumptions, by evidence rather than speculation, and by truth rather than rumor.”
He further challenged anyone with credible evidence implicating him in criminal conduct to submit it to law enforcement rather than social media.
Background: The Viral Video and the US$317.7 Million Cocaine Seizure
Boakai’s statement comes amid one of Liberia’s most consequential narcotics investigations.
Authorities recently announced the seizure of approximately US$317.7 million worth of cocaine, describing it as the largest drug interception in Liberia’s history.
The seizure has led to multiple arrests and intensified investigations into what Justice Minister and Attorney General N. Oswald Tweh has described as a sophisticated transnational trafficking network operating through Liberia.
In the wake of the seizure, individuals believed by security officials to be associated with the alleged drug syndicate released a series of videos and social media posts accusing several prominent Liberians—including Jojo Boakai—of having links to persons allegedly connected to the network.
The videos circulated photographs, WhatsApp screenshots and other materials while suggesting that politically connected individuals were involved in facilitating the alleged drug operation. Among the claims were assertions that Boakai maintained relationships with certain individuals now under investigation. The videos also questioned whether those relationships reflected broader influence within government.
Boakai’s statement represents the first comprehensive public response to those allegations. Throughout the document, he repeatedly maintained that he neither participated in drug trafficking nor used his proximity to the Presidency to influence government decisions or protect anyone from prosecution.
Ending his statement, Boakai said his confidence rests not in public opinion but in the truth.
“My confidence has never been in public opinion. It has always been in the truth.”
He concluded by calling on Liberians to allow the country’s security institutions to complete their work independently and without political interference.
“I ask only that they be allowed to do their work without fear, without favor, and without political influence.”
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