In a media landscape increasingly shaped by viral misinformation, a recent wave of social media posts falsely claiming the release of convicted drug trafficker George Obi — popularly known as “Original Japan” — has been categorically debunked. Despite widely circulated images and assertions suggesting otherwise, official sources and court records confirm that Obi remains incarcerated, less than a year into his 20-year sentence.
The rumors began spreading hours after President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s announcement of executive clemency for 75 inmates across Liberia. Almost immediately, posts surfaced alleging that Obi was among the beneficiaries, supported by photos purportedly showing him walking free. However, a fact-checking investigation has revealed those claims to be unequivocally false.
George Obi, who gained notoriety under the alias “Original Japan,” was convicted in January 2025 by Criminal Court ‘C’ for orchestrating a major drug trafficking network. The conviction followed a detailed investigation and a protracted legal battle that ultimately implicated Obi as the mastermind behind a transnational narcotics ring with deep links to local and regional drug cartels. On March 2025, Judge A. Blamo Dixon handed him a 20-year prison sentence, while three of his co-defendants received five-year terms each for conspiracy.
Eyewitness accounts, court documentation, and statements from judicial reporters confirm that Obi has served less than one year of his sentence — far below the eligibility threshold for the recent clemency program. A pre-sentencing report by the Ministry of Justice characterized him as a serious threat to public safety, with community members also speaking out about the damaging impact of his activities on young people.
In response to the rumors, journalists and legal analysts obtained official clemency guidelines used by the Ministry of Justice, specifically the Bureau of Corrections and Rehabilitation (BCR) and the Division of Human Rights. These guidelines outline strict benchmarks, including: Inmates who have served over 50% of their sentence for non-capital offenses. Misdemeanor convicts held for unpaid restitution under $2,000 USD. Terminally ill prisoners with documented diagnoses. Elderly inmates (50+) with good behavior. Felons with less than two years left to serve. Elderly capital offenders (65+) who have served over 10 years.
George Obi fits none of these categories.
Moreover, the final list of pardoned inmates includes only two foreign nationals (from Sierra Leone and India), four women, and one juvenile. No inmates were released from Rivercess, Sinoe, or Grand Kru Counties. Obi, a Nigerian national, is not among the foreign nationals listed.
When contacted for clarification, officials at the Ministry of Justice firmly denied that Obi had been released under the clemency. Judicial reporters echoed this assertion, emphasizing that no legal record exists indicating a modification of his sentence.
The misleading posts, which gained momentum across several Facebook and WhatsApp groups, underscore a growing trend of unverified information overshadowing evidence-based reporting. While some users shared the content in good faith, others may have knowingly contributed to the spread of disinformation.
As journalists, our role is not to echo speculation but to hold truth as the cornerstone of public discourse. False narratives — particularly those involving high-profile criminal cases — can erode public trust in both justice and governance. The truth is not always sensational, but it is always essential.
For now, George “Original Japan” Obi remains behind bars, serving the sentence imposed by the court. Any claims to the contrary are simply not supported by fact.
Truth matters. Facts are still worth waiting for.
