IPNEWS: Nigerian spiritual leader Primate Elijah Ayodele has threatened to file a $2 billion lawsuit against Liberia’s Information Minister, over allegation of the selling cocaine over the last six years under former president George Weah.
Speaking during his Friday, June 12, 2026, prayer services, Primate Elijah Ayodele told his congregation that the allegation by Liberia Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) is Jerolinmek Matthew Piah, was grave and he is considering legal action for ‘deformation of Character’ in the amount of 2 billion United States dollars.
Defamation of character occurs when a false statement is presented as fact, published to a third party, and causes material harm to an individual’s or business’s reputation, livelihood, or social standing.
The row ignited after Minister Piah allegedly linked Primate Ayodele to drug trafficking activities during the former administration of President George Weah.
Primate Ayodele vehemently denied the claims, firing back at Piah by labeling him a “minister of misinformation,” mocking his communication skills, and demanding immediate, concrete proof of the allegations.
Ayodele publicly challenged the information minister to provide evidence of drug trafficking or face a staggering $2 billion defamation of character lawsuit.
The personal dispute has since expanded into a formal diplomatic issue between Liberia and Nigeria
The Government of Liberia, acting through its Embassy in Abuja, filed a formal diplomatic complaint with Nigerian authorities regarding the cleric’s separate, highly critical public predictions and remarks about Liberian President Joseph Boakai.
Liberian diplomats expressed concern that the prophet’s regular commentary on local politics could destabilize national peace, misrepresent the country’s political landscape, and sour long-standing Liberia-Nigeria relations
Brushing off the diplomatic pushback, Primate Ayodele dismissed Liberia’s official complaint, telling reporters that the Liberian government could “take the matter to Donald Trump’s court instead”. He maintains that his spiritual declarations are independent of government oversight.
In recent weeks, there have been a major diplomatic row between the cleric and the Liberian government following his controversial “doomsday” prophecies.
The threats by the Nigerian spiritual leader comes days after the Nigerian government reportedly stated that the pastor is a private citizen who does not speak for the state.
The issue began when Primate Elijah Ayodele, the head of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church in Lagos, Nigeria, made several public statements about Liberian President Joseph Boakai. In videos shared online, the pastor claimed that President Boakai was: “Confused,” “old,” “tired”, Unable to properly handle the demands of running the country.
The pastor also called for the President’s resignation and predicted a possible military coup in Liberia if he stays in power.
The Complaint from Liberia
On June 8, 2026, the Liberian Embassy in Abuja sent a formal diplomatic note to Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Liberian government argued that the pastor’s words were dangerous. They stated that the “prophecy” could cause false public opinions, hurt the relationship between the two countries, and threaten peace and democracy in Liberia. The embassy asked Nigerian authorities to step in and review the matter.
Nigeria’s Direct Response
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, quickly turned down the complaint. In its official response, the Nigerian government made a few key points:
“Private Citizens Speak for Themselves: Nigeria explained that the pastor is a private individual. His personal thoughts do not match or represent the views of the Nigerian state. ” The Nigerian Foreign Ministry statement read.
Nigeria stated it is a democracy that protects free speech and freedom of religion.
“The government does not censor what private citizens say about public officials or foreign leaders.
The Nigerian government expressed surprise that comments from a private church leader were turned into an official diplomatic dispute.” The Nigerian Foreign Ministry statement emphasized.
Nigeria finished by reaffirming its long, friendly relationship with Liberia. It urged both nations to keep their diplomatic talks focused strictly on actual government-to-government matters.
