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During a prophetic session streamed on his Facebook page on Friday, June 12, 2026, the leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, issued a strong response to allegations reportedly made by Liberia’s Information Minister, Jerolinmek Matthew, linking him to cocaine trafficking during the administration of former Liberian President George Weah.
Reacting angrily to the accusation, Ayodele dismissed the claims as entirely false and defamatory, declaring that he was prepared to initiate legal proceedings against the Liberian official. The cleric stated that he would seek $2 billion in damages, insisting that the minister must provide concrete evidence to support the allegation or face the consequences of a lawsuit.
Ayodele argued that the accusation amounted to a deliberate attack on his reputation and integrity. He maintained that he had never been involved in any criminal activity in Liberia and questioned why such a claim would be made without proof. According to him, public officials should be held to a higher standard of responsibility when making statements capable of damaging an individual’s character.
The cleric also directed criticism at Liberian President Joseph Boakai, suggesting that the minister should have been removed from office over what he described as irresponsible conduct. He questioned the minister’s competence and accused him of spreading misinformation rather than providing accurate information to the public.
Reiterating his determination to challenge the allegation in court, Ayodele said the minister would be required to substantiate every aspect of the accusation. He stressed that allegations of involvement in drug trafficking are serious and should never be made casually or without verifiable evidence.
The religious leader further emphasized that he is a pastor whose public life and activities are well known, insisting that there was no basis for linking him to cocaine trafficking. He described the claim as a reckless attempt to tarnish his image and vowed to pursue the matter through every available legal channel.
In addition to rejecting the allegation, Ayodele criticized the minister’s communication style and public statements, claiming they reflected poor judgment and contained numerous errors. He alleged that the official lacked the professionalism expected of a government spokesperson and accused him of disseminating false information.
Throughout his remarks, the cleric repeatedly expressed confidence in his ability to defend his name and reputation. He declared that he was ready for a legal confrontation and warned that the matter could attract international attention if the allegations were not withdrawn or adequately substantiated.
Concluding his address, Ayodele maintained that the accusation constituted a clear case of defamation and vowed to continue pursuing legal action until, in his view, justice is served and his reputation is fully vindicated. He insisted that those who make damaging allegations without evidence should be held accountable for their statements.
