Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Sr. has dismissed allegations made by FrontPage Africa Managing Editor Rodney Sieh during an appearance on Spoon TV, in which Sieh claimed the Vice President was associated with an individual identified as Anthony, who was allegedly linked to drug-related activities.
In a statement, Vice President Koung clarified that the allegation was based on a group photograph in which he appeared with several individuals, including Anthony.
“As Vice President, I take photographs with many people at both public and private events. I do not know Anthony, and the fact that we appeared in the same photograph does not mean I have any knowledge of his personal affairs or any activities he may allegedly be involved in,” Koung stated.
The Vice President reaffirmed his longstanding position that anyone found connected to drug trafficking should be prosecuted, regardless of their relationship to him.
He recalled his statement following the arrest of Clifford Payne, an official of the Group of 77, on November 24, 2025, in connection with a suspected drug case.
“I maintain that if my wife, children, relatives, friends, political associates, or employees are connected to any drug-related activities, they should face the full weight of the law,” the Vice President emphasized.
Reacting to Sieh’s comments, Vice President Koung addressed the claim that he has an association with an individual named Anthony seen in a group photo with him. “Rodney Sieh’s allegation on Spoon TV last night is that I have an association with one Anthony, seen in a group photo with me, who he alleged to have a link to drug-related activities. As Vice President, I take photos with many individuals at public and private events. I do not know Anthony, and the photo taken does not suggest my knowledge of any personal dealings he may be involved with.”
The Vice President reiterated his stance on drugs in government. “As I stated when Clifford Payne, an official of the Group of 77, was arrested on November 24, 2025, in connection with a suspected drug case, I still maintain that if my wife, children, relatives, friends, political associates, or employees are connected to any drug-related activities, they should face the full weight of the law.”
Koung concluded by reiterating his support for the rule of law and due process in the fight against illicit drugs.
FrontPageAfrica Chief Publisher Rodney D. Sieh recently called on Vice President Koung to publicly clarify his association with individuals linked to the US$19 million drug saga.
Speaking on One-on-One with the CEO on Spoon Talk on July 5, 2026, Sieh said the Vice President has been photographed with people connected to the case and should now address the public directly.
“We’re not saying anybody is involved in drugs. We’re not saying anyone is trafficking drugs,” Sieh stated. He added, “But when something like this happens in Liberia, and you’re the Vice President, and photographs surface showing you with people associated with the investigation, I think Liberians deserve to know how close you are to those individuals.”
Sieh stressed that the demand is not an accusation, but a call for transparency. “Nobody is accusing the Vice President. The public is simply saying he should explain these photographs to the Liberian people. It’s about the connections people are making.”
He also raised concern over reports that individuals tied to the drug investigation are going missing. “The fact that people connected to this investigation are reportedly going missing is a concern, not just for me, but for many Liberians. As a newspaper publisher, FrontPageAfrica carries significant weight in this country. Likewise, what we discuss on Prime-Time Liberia reaches a wide audience. We have a responsibility to ask these questions.”
Sieh said public insinuations stem from the Vice President’s reported association with one “Tony” and, indirectly, with Michael Brown. “Liberians are saying those who know the individuals bringing drugs into the country must explain their relationships. That’s what the public is saying. This is not propaganda.”
He argued that the Vice President should draw a clear line, saying, “At the Vice President’s level, I think it’s only fair for him to come out and say, ‘Look, I’m not part of this. I’m not involved in their lifestyle.’ I also find it difficult to believe that Michael Brown simply walked out of prison without someone giving an order. The Vice President should speak about his relationship with Michael Brown, especially at a time when people connected to the drug saga are reportedly going missing.”
Meanwhile, the man at the center of the allegations who is seen in the photograph with Vice President Koung has broken his silence on his association or relationship with Veep Koung. In a statement posted on social media, Anthony “Tony” Denuka provided clarity on his relationship with the Vice President on the Spoon talk, noting, “Firstly, I want to make one correction. The picture shown on the aircraft is not Michael Brown. That is Oscar Brown, not Michael Brown.”
“I worked at the Roberts International Airport from 2011. I later resigned in 2019 after becoming frustrated and moved on to my own businesses, including money changing and a boutique business. I have not worked at the airport since then,” he disclosed.
Denuka furthered, “Michael Brown was someone I knew from the airport. He used to come around, and we would occasionally interact, but since I left the airport, we have had no connection. I can’t even remember the last time we spoke. It has been more than a year.”
“I decided to support the Unity Party because I believe in Vice President Jeremiah Koung’s leadership. I admire the way he leads and speaks, so I gave him my loyalty. The photos of me with the Vice President were taken during his birthday celebration and another visit to his office. I even designed one of the photos myself and used it as my WhatsApp and Facebook profile picture because I support his leadership,” he clarified.
He added, “There is nothing connecting me to the Vice President other than my support for him as a leader. I have absolutely no knowledge of the US$19.2 million drug case. I have no connection to it, no connection to Michael Brown regarding drugs, and I have never discussed it with anyone,” he said.
According to him, he has never taken Michael Brown to meet the Vice President. “As far as I know, they have never met. Michael Brown is a CDC supporter and has never been someone who supports the Unity Party. The Vice President does not know Michael Brown. If he knows the name today, it is probably because of everything being discussed publicly,” Denuka added.
He further said, “I got my job at the National Lottery Authority through the normal recruitment process. I applied, went through interviews, qualified, and was hired. The Vice President had nothing to do with my employment. I have never deleted any pictures from my Facebook page. If any photos are there, they are still there. Why would I delete them?” he wondered.
He said no security agency has questioned him because he has absolutely nothing to do with this matter. “Michael Brown is not my best friend. My close friends are very few, and they are all professionals. Michael Brown cannot be described as one of my close friends. I knew Oscar Brown from the airport, but I cannot remember the last time we spoke.”
