MONROVIA, Liberia – July 29, 2026 – Joseph N. Boakai Jr., son of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has publicly denied allegations linking him to narcotics trafficking, insisting he has never participated in illegal drug activities and pledging his full cooperation with any investigation by Liberia’s security agencies.
In a detailed public statement released Wednesday, Boakai Jr. said he decided to address the allegations because they had become a matter of significant national concern, despite his longstanding practice of avoiding public responses to rumors and speculation.
He began by describing Liberia’s fight against narcotics as one of the country’s greatest challenges, urging all Liberians to support efforts to identify and prosecute those responsible for drug trafficking.
“This fight is bigger than politics and it is bigger than personalities,” he said, while encouraging members of Liberia’s security institutions to remain steadfast in combating the country’s growing drug problem.
Distances Himself from Government Decision-Making
Boakai Jr. said that since early 2024 he has deliberately stayed away from the day-to-day affairs of government to avoid perceptions that he exercises influence because he is the President’s son.
He emphasized that he has never held himself out as a government official and has no constitutional authority to make or influence government decisions.
“My relationship to the Presidency is one of family—not constitutional authority,” he stated.
He added that he had also limited his interactions with government institutions, including the Liberia Maritime Authority where he previously worked, in an effort to allow public officials to perform their duties independently.
Explains WhatsApp Message
Addressing the allegations directly, Boakai Jr. disclosed that the controversy began after he received a WhatsApp message from a number identified as originating from Colombia while he was asleep.
According to him, the message accused him of involvement in narcotics trafficking and contained threats directed at him.
He said he immediately rejected the allegations, blocked the sender, took screenshots of the conversation, and shared the information with both the Liberia National Police and the National Security Agency.
Boakai Jr. further claimed that a video later circulated online showing only portions of the exchange while omitting 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,” he said.
Addresses Relationship with Ibrahim Touré
Boakai Jr. acknowledged knowing Ibrahima Touré, explaining that the two were introduced earlier this year through mutual acquaintance Habib Sheriff.
He said their discussions centered on sports development, including a proposed visit involving the Real Madrid Foundation, and meetings with companies interested in supporting healthcare delivery in Liberia through medical technology and telemedicine.
According to Boakai Jr., the meetings involved legitimate business and development opportunities.
He stressed that he made it clear throughout those engagements that he was not a government official and could not make commitments on behalf of the Government of Liberia.
He further stated that subsequent conversations upon his return to Liberia focused on possible private investments in hospitality and food services but that no business venture had been finalized.
Boakai Jr. said neither Touré nor Sheriff ever asked him to facilitate illegal activities or use his relationship with the Presidency to obtain favors from the government.
Responds to Questions About Friendships
The President’s son also addressed public speculation surrounding his friendship with Mark Kuiah, describing him as a longtime friend.
However, he maintained that friendship does not place anyone above the law.
“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,” he said.
Denies Criminal Conduct
Boakai Jr. categorically denied participating in drug trafficking or using his family connections for personal benefit.
He stated that he has:
- Never participated in discussions involving narcotics trafficking;
- Never facilitated illegal drug activity;
- Never accepted money in exchange for influence; and
- Never used his relationship with the Presidency to shield anyone from accountability.
He emphasized that those statements reflected the truth as he knows it rather than carefully prepared talking points.
Welcomes Investigation
Boakai Jr. said he welcomes a full, impartial, and thorough investigation into the allegations.
He pledged to cooperate fully with the Liberia National Police, the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), the National Security Agency (NSA), and any other competent authority.
“I have nothing to hide,” he declared.
He expressed hope that the controversy would strengthen, rather than weaken, Liberia’s efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks regardless of who may be implicated.
Calls for Facts Over Rumors
Concluding his statement, Boakai Jr. acknowledged that, as the President’s son, his conduct will inevitably attract heightened public scrutiny.
However, he urged Liberians to rely on facts rather than speculation and called on anyone with credible evidence of wrongdoing to present it to the appropriate law enforcement authorities instead of circulating allegations on social media.
“Let the institutions of our Republic determine the facts. That is how justice is done. That is how the rule of law is preserved,” he said.
He also appealed to young Liberians to join the fight against narcotics, stressing that the battle against drug abuse is a shared responsibility requiring the involvement of families, communities, religious institutions, educators, and citizens.
At the close of his statement, Boakai Jr. said he has confidence that the truth will prevail and called on Liberia’s security institutions to carry out their work “without fear, without favor, and without political influence.”
The allegations discussed in Boakai Jr.‘s statement remain under review by Liberia’s security institutions. At the time of publication, no official findings had been announced regarding the claims he addressed.
