CESTOS, RIVERCES COUNTY – September 15, 2025 — The Cestos Magisterial Court has reversed its controversial ruling that sentenced journalist Eric Opa Doue to 30 days in prison, a decision that had sparked sharp condemnation from media advocates and legal observers across Liberia.
Magistrate Dixon Yeahgar had ordered Doue’s imprisonment on a charge of criminal coercion—a move the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) decried as a gross misapplication of the law and a threat to press freedom.
Though the court has not publicly disclosed its reason for overturning the sentence, the reversal came just a day after the PUL issued a blistering statement condemning the ruling and demanding Doue’s immediate release.
PUL legal counsel, Atty. Bruce Boweh, who represented Doue, confirmed the journalist’s release, stating that it followed “legal interventions consistent with the law.” He praised the efforts of all who contributed to securing the release.
Speaking to the PUL by phone shortly after his release on September 12, journalist Doue said, “I am happy to be free again,” extending thanks to the PUL, his legal team, and others who intervened.
Background: A Case That Stirred Legal and Ethical Questions
The case stems from an August 11, 2025 report co-authored by journalists Eric Opa Doue and Methusaleh Gaye, which alleged that Police Officer Ojuku Weeks had been caught in possession of narcotics and bribed the Yarpah Town Magisterial Court for his release.
The report turned out to be inaccurate, and the PUL has since acknowledged the error. However, the Union insists that the journalists’ actions did not constitute criminal coercion and that the charge itself was unwarranted.
Timeline of Events:
- August 13: Journalist Eric Opa Doue was arrested on orders of Associate Magistrate Debah Zuku Debah but released the same day with instructions to return to court with legal counsel.
- August 14: Co-author Methusaleh Gaye was also arrested after Officer Weeks filed a criminal coercion complaint as a private prosecutor.
- August 15–16: Doue was detained again after failing to post bond but was released the next day on personal recognizance.
- August 20: The Yarpah Town Court dropped criminal contempt charges against both journalists following legal advocacy by the PUL.
- September 3: Proceedings began at the Cestos City Magisterial Court. The court dropped the criminal coercion charge against Gaye after the State Prosecutor, Martin M. Tumoe, noted he had shown remorse.
- Journalist Doue, however, was told to retract the article and issue a formal apology—steps he complied with, including presenting digital evidence. Still, he was jailed on September 8 for failing to present a hard copy of the newspaper publication.
- September 12: Following days of backlash and legal pressure, the Cestos Court released Doue after he served four nights in detention.
PUL: Legal Missteps, But a Path Forward
Despite acknowledging the reporters’ journalistic error, the PUL maintains that the criminal proceedings were an overreach. “Charging journalists with criminal coercion in such a case was excessive and legally flawed,” the Union said in a statement.
The organization has pledged to strengthen media relations with local authorities in Rivercess and work to prevent similar legal confrontations in the future. It also plans to support ongoing legal education for journalists to enhance accuracy and accountability in reporting.
“This incident should serve as both a caution and a catalyst,” the PUL stated. “We must uphold press freedom while ensuring journalistic integrity.”
