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Claim: A Facebook user alleged that a drug kingpin, George Ikpehehukwu, known as Original Japan, who was arrested for drug-related offences by the Liberian authorities, has been released.
Verdict: False! Checks by DUBAWA showed that Original Japan is still in custody, contrary to the claim. Both the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency and the Ministry of Justice have told DUBAWA the drug king is still in their custody, awaiting trial in the coming days.
Full Text
Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai announced the establishment of a steering committee to combat drug and drug-related offences in the country on January 29, 2024.
The task force comprised the Ministry of Health as Chair, the Ministry of Justice as Co-Chair, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP).
Within a space of three weeks, the Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency, on February 21, 2024, arrested nine notorious drug dealers, including George Ikpehehukwu alias “Original Japan” who operated a drug cartel at Sayon Town on Bushrod Island of Liberia. The suspects have been charged and they are awaiting full trial.
However, a Facebook user claimed on February 25, 2024, that the Liberian Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) boss, Abe Kromah, had released Original Japan.
“In relation to the fight against drugs in Liberia, Mr. Japan, the drug dealer who the LDEA arrested in Sayon l has been released by LDEA boss Abe Kromah…,” the Facebook user posted in a group.
Data available on the social media platform showed the post had received 129 comments and 71 likes as of April 5, 2024.
DUBAWA decided to probe the claim as part of its campaign against misinformation and disinformation in Liberia.
Verification
In fact-checking the claim, DUBAWA first contacted the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency to find out if Original Japan had been released from custody as alleged.
The LDEA Communication Director, Micheal Jipply, told DUBAWA that the claim making the rounds on social media is “false.” He explained that the relevant State actors are conducting further investigations before arraigning the drug king and his accomplices.
“Our country’s drug law has made drug trafficking a non-bailable offence, and suspect (s) can only be released when they are not found guilty of the allegation of drug levelled against them,” he said.
DUBAWA also contacted the Director of Prisons at the Ministry of Justice, S. S. Ainleseg Kwaidah, who equally denied the claim on social media about the release of the drug kingpin.
“Original Japan is currently behind bars at the Monrovia Central Prison. All information about his purported release is untrue,” he said.
DUBAWA later contacted the Facebook user to find out the source of the claim, but there has been no response to the inquiry.
A Google keyword search by DUBAWA showed none of the reputable media organisations in Liberia had published a report about the claim, considering the interest the arrest of Original Japan generated in the media.
Conclusion
It is, therefore, not true that Original Japan has been released from custody. Key State bodies have confirmed to DUBAWA that the drug king is still in custody.
The researcher produced this fact-check under the DUBAWA 2024 Kwame KariKari Fellowship, in partnership with Radio Gbarnga FM 96.5 MHz, Liberia, to facilitate the spread of accurate and true information.
