Jojo Boikai Breaks Silence, Calls Colombian Cartel’s Threats . . .

 “A few mornings ago, I discovered that, while I had been asleep at almost 3 a.m., a WhatsApp message had been sent to my phone from a number identified as originating from Colombia. The message accused me of involvement in narcotics trafficking, and contained threats directed at me. When I read the message, I was at first amused, and immediately believed it to be a foolish attempt to manufacture a false connection between myself, and criminal activity.”

 

Following weeks, if months, of the discoveries of huge drugs, the Junior son of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, has distanced himself from the cartels.

Joseph N. Boakai, Jr. alias Joe Joe, denied being a part of any illegal activities, including illicit drugs importation.

In his own defense, Joe Joe writes:   

My fellow Liberians,

Good morning!

Before I say anything about myself, allow me to acknowledge the reason this issue has captured our nation’s attention.

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.

I therefore want to encourage the men, and women of our security institutions, who continue to work under difficult circumstances, to stand firm, and fearless in this fight.

Normally, I would not make a public statement concerning rumors, or speculation about myself.

Over the past three years, I have deliberately chosen not to respond to the many allegations, accusations, and false narratives that have circulated about me. I have believed that responding to every rumor would only distract me from my family, my businesses, and my own responsibilities. More importantly, I have never wanted to become a distraction to the work of this government, or to the important work of our institutions.

However, because my name has now become part of a matter of significant national concern, I believe, I owe the Liberian people a truthful account. This will most likely be the first, and only time, I publicly address these allegations.

As I stated, for the last three years, I have been accused of being involved in virtually every major business transaction, and government decision imaginable. The reality is quite different.

At the beginning of 2024, I made a conscious decision to distance myself from the day-to-day affairs of government. I did so, because I wanted those entrusted with public office to perform their duties independently, without anyone suggesting that I was exercising influence, simply because I am 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.

Many people can attest to the fact that I have remained true to that commitment. Even at the Liberia Maritime Authority, where I previously worked, I visited only once after the elections, simply to appreciate the staff, who had worked alongside me. Since then, I have deliberately stayed away, and allowed the institution’s leadership to perform its responsibilities independently.

Unfortunately, my decision to remain outside government has not prevented speculation. Instead, my name has repeatedly been linked to institutions, contracts, and decisions with which I have had absolutely no involvement. I have chosen silence, because I believed that silence was the more responsible course. Today, however, the seriousness of the allegations requires me to speak.

Like every Liberian, I recognize that our government faces challenges. Every administration does. Those debates belong in the democratic arena, where citizens are free to express their opinions. Today’s statement is not about politics. It is about allegations made against me personally, and my responsibility to answer them truthfully.

The allegations now before the public concern narcotics. This is not an issue that I take lightly.

Every day, we see the devastating consequences of drug abuse throughout our communities. We see young people whose hopes have been replaced by addiction. We see families struggling to save sons, and daughters from a cycle that destroys lives, and robs our nation of its future. Anyone who profits from that destruction commits an unforgivable offense against Liberia. For many years, I have made my position on this matter absolutely clear to those around me.

I have consistently told my friends that if I ever became aware that anyone within my circle was involved in drug trafficking, or any criminal enterprise connected to narcotics, I would not protect that person. On the contrary, I would voluntarily provide whatever information I possessed to the Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Liberia National Police. No friendship, no business opportunity, no family connection, and no personal relationship is more important than Liberia’s future. That has always been my position, and it remains my position today.

The events that brought us here began only a few days ago.

A few mornings ago, I discovered that, while I had been asleep at almost 3 a.m., a WhatsApp message had been sent to my phone from a number identified as originating from Colombia. The message accused me of involvement in narcotics trafficking, and contained threats directed at me. When I read the message, I was at first amused, and immediately believed it to be a foolish attempt to manufacture a false connection between myself, and criminal activity.

I responded by expressing just that, and after responding, I blocked the number, took a screenshot, and shared the images with both the Liberia National Police, and the National Security Agency.

The following day, a video appeared online displaying my WhatsApp profile picture, my telephone number, and the threatening message that had been sent to me.

What immediately stood out was what had been deliberately omitted.

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.

As I watched the video more carefully, I recognized another individual whose photograph appeared alongside mine.

I at once informed the Director General of the National Security Agency that I knew the individual, and explained the circumstances under which we had met.

That individual was Mr. Ibrahima Touré.

I first met Mr. Touré earlier this year through a mutual acquaintance, Mr. Habib Sheriff, a young man, who had returned to Liberia from the United States, and like many young Liberians, was exploring legitimate business opportunities.

Through him, I was introduced to Mr. Touré, and our discussions centered on sports development, and a proposed visit to the Real Madrid Foundation.

From the outset, I made one thing clear: I was not a government official, and therefore, could not represent the Government of Liberia, or make commitments on its behalf. For that reason, I suggested that the appropriate government officials take part in any official discussions. Hence, the visit along with the Minister of Youth and Sports, and the Liberian Ambassador to France.

Three meetings subsequently took place with representatives of the Real Madrid Foundation, and with companies involved in medical technology, and telemedicine that expressed interest in exploring opportunities to support healthcare delivery in Liberia.

Following those meetings, everyone returned to their respective destinations, and I continued with my own travel.

Later, upon my return to Liberia in May, there were discussions regarding possible private commercial ventures involving hospitality, and food services. These were ordinary business conversations-nothing more, and nothing was consummated up to date.

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. The same is true of Mr. Habib Sheriff.

Similarly, my friendship with Mr. Mark Kuiah, has also become the subject of public speculation. Mark has been my friend, and a friend to so many others for years, and he is no stranger to this society, or individuals from all sides of the political spectrum. And in all those years, I have never been given a reason to perceive him to be anything, but law-abiding. But friendship is not immunity from 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. I will never interfere with that process. But likewise, I will never falsely accuse someone simply to satisfy public opinion.

Justice requires evidence.

Justice requires due process.

Justice requires fairness.

Throughout this matter, I have been asked to speculate about what other people may have done, or may have known.

I refuse to do that.

I will not invent stories.

I will not make accusations I cannot support with evidence.

I will only tell the truth as I know it.

And that truth is simple.

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.

Those are not carefully rehearsed statements.

They are simply the truth.

I also want to make something else abundantly clear.

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.

If this moment accomplishes anything, I hope it strengthens-not weakens the determination of our security institutions to dismantle every network responsible for bringing narcotics into Liberia, regardless of who is involved. That is the objective that should unite us all.

Before I conclude, let me say this.

I understand that public trust is earned.

I understand that, because I am the President’s son, my conduct will always receive greater scrutiny.

I accept that responsibility.

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. If anyone believes they possess credible evidence that I have committed any crime, I urge them to present that evidence to the appropriate authorities so that it bears consequence, not to 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.

As for me, I will continue living my life openly, and honestly.

I will continue pursuing legitimate business opportunities.

I will continue supporting initiatives that create hope, and opportunity for young Liberians.

I will continue respecting the institutions of this Republic.

And, I will continue believing that no one, not even the son of a President, is above the law.

Finally, let me speak directly to the young people of Liberia.

Your future is worth protecting.

The fight against narcotics is not the responsibility of government alone. It belongs to every family, every community, every religious institution, every educator, and every citizen.

Let us stand together in that fight.

Let us reject those, who profit from destroying our youth.

Let us support our security institutions as they pursue those responsible.

History has taught us that rumors come, and go, but truth endures.

My confidence has never been in public opinion. It has always been in the truth. I have spoken today, because I respect the Liberian people, and because, I believe they deserve to hear directly from me.

Having done so, I now return this matter to the institutions entrusted with finding the facts, and administering justice. I ask only that they be allowed to do their work without fear, without favor, and without political influence.

May God bless each of you.

May God bless our security institutions as they continue their important work.

And may God continue to bless the Republic of Liberia.

Thank you,

Joseph N. Boakai, Jr.