MONROVIA – A high-ranking official within the ruling Unity Party government has accused fellow officials of engaging in “sex for cash” schemes with vulnerable women. The allegation comes against a backdrop of multiple, unresolved rape cases involving government figures and minors.
The accusation was leveled by Fugitive Queen Johnson, the Director of Records at the National Port Authority, a presidential appointee. On her verified Facebook page, Johnson wrote: “I don’t blame you, I blame some of our officials that are still calling you in motels to have you and give you petty cash, that’s why you are still wide around here.” Johnson’s post directs scrutiny at a culture of exploitation, where officials are alleged to use their positions and wealth to sexually coerce individuals. This practice is particularly egregious given that prostitution is illegal in Liberia.
Her allegations resonate in an environment where serious sexual abuse cases against officials have stalled in the justice system. Notable among them is the case of Bryant McGill, Deputy Minister for Youth Development, who was accused in September 2025 of raping a 14-year-old girl. He has not been prosecuted. In a separate incident also from September 2025, Sando Kromah, 34, an official at the Ministry of Agriculture, was accused of statutory rape involving another 14-year-old girl. That case, too, remains unresolved, fueling accusations that a powerful elite operates with impunity.
A Controversial Accuser
The source of the allegations has drawn significant attention due to her own controversial and violent history. Queen Johnson was appointed to her port authority role by President Joseph Boakai. Prior to her appointment, she was a central figure in a major homicide case. In a live Facebook video that circulated widely, Johnson was seen physically participating in the mob murder of Joshua Solomon. Following the incident, police issued an arrest warrant for her. Johnson then sought and received refuge in the home of then-President-Elect Boakai, successfully evading prosecution. Further details from her past reveal a pattern of violence. Prior to Solomon’s murder, Johnson was recorded publicly assaulting Wen Sailey, also known as Christmas, who later died of medical complications in the United States
Mounting Public Pressure
The combination of a serious allegation from within the government and the unresolved cases of Bryant McGill and Sando Kromah has placed the Boakai administration under intense pressure. Critics are demanding a transparent and independent investigation not only into the “sex for cash” claims but also into the apparent judicial paralysis affecting cases against officials.
The administration has yet to issue an official response to Johnson’s specific allegations. Public sentiment is increasingly focused on whether the government will address what many are calling a systemic abuse of power targeting the most vulnerable. As the nation grapples with these intertwined scandals of violence and exploitation, the central question remains whether Liberia’s institutions are strong enough to hold the powerful accountable, or if impunity will continue to prevail at the expense of the vulnerable.
