Monrovia, August 20, 2025 – The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has appointed well-known journalist-turned-lawyer Bruce Boweh to defend two Liberian journalists, Eric Opa Doue and Methuselah Gaye, who are facing criminal charges in Rivercess County.
The charges—“criminal contempt of court” and “criminal coercion”—stem from reports accusing the Yarpah Town Magisterial Court of corruption, including claims of bribery and the questionable release of a police officer allegedly caught with drugs.
PUL President Julius Kanubah emphasized the Union’s strong commitment to protecting press freedom and its members from unfair treatment. “Journalists must be free to do their work without fear,” Kanubah said, thanking Attorney Boweh for stepping in at this crucial time.
Boweh, a former editor at Liberia Broadcasting System and an award-winning judicial reporter for the now-closed Independent Star Radio, has over 20 years of experience in journalism and law. “We trust Bruce will use his deep knowledge to defend our colleagues and work toward dropping all charges through solid legal arguments and dialogue,” Kanubah added.
The PUL stressed that these charges go against Liberia’s laws and international commitments. The Kamara Abdullah Kamara (KAK) Act on Press Freedom has removed criminal penalties for defamation and libel. Liberia is also a signatory to the Declaration of Table Mountain, which calls for ending laws that suppress free speech. “No journalist should face harassment or threats because of their reporting, especially when corrections have been made,” the Union said.
Case Background
On August 13, 2025, journalist Eric Opa Doue was arrested by order of Associate Magistrate Debah Zuku Debah of the Yarpah Town Magisterial Court. He was released the same day but told to return on August 18 with a lawyer. When he showed up without one, he was asked to come back by August 20 or risk being arrested again.
The next day, August 14, journalist Methuselah Gaye was arrested after police officer Ojuku Weeks filed a complaint accusing him of “criminal coercion” over reports linking Weeks to drugs and bribery.
Both spent a night in jail before being released on what PUL called “excessive and harsh” bail. Gaye paid LRD 60,000 (about USD 300), while Doue was released after posting LRD 2,000, with help from community leaders.
The Union criticized these bail terms as a way to intimidate journalists and noted with concern that Abraham Nyounway, the Public Defender of Rivercess County, refused to represent the journalists, despite his legal duty.
The journalists are set to appear again today before Magistrate Debah Zuku Debah at the Yarpah Town Magisterial Court. Attorney Boweh will be representing them. The PUL will keep a close eye on the case and provide updates, while urging the courts to respect the rule of law and defend press freedom in Liberia.
