Monrovia, Liberia – The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has deployed distinguished journalist and Attorney-at-Law Bruce Boweh to represent two Liberian journalists, Eric Opa Doue and Methuselah Gaye, who are currently facing criminal charges in Rivercess County.
The charges of “criminal contempt of court” and “criminal coercion” stem from publications by the journalists that allege corruption within the Yarpah Town Magisterial Court, specifically claims of bribery and the controversial release of a police officer allegedly apprehended with narcotics.
In addressing the situation, PUL President Julius Kanubah emphasized the Union’s strong commitment to ensuring the journalists’ freedom from the criminal charges, expressing gratitude to Atty. Boweh for taking on this critical role.
“The unfettered freedom of journalists is of paramount concern to the Union,” Kanubah stated.
Bruce Boweh, a former editor at the Liberia Broadcasting System and an award-winning judicial correspondent of the erstwhile Independent Star Radio Liberia, possesses more than two decades of experience characterized by ethical journalism, integrity, and media leadership.
“We are confident that Bruce will utilize his extensive knowledge of journalism and law to plead effectively for our colleagues, seeking the dismissal of all criminal charges through legal arguments and constructive dialogue,” Kanubah asserted.
The PUL emphasizes the importance of dropping the criminal charges, noting that anti-free speech offenses have been decriminalized under the Kamara Abdullah Kamara Act of Press Freedom. Additionally, Liberia’s commitment to the Declaration of Table Mountain, which calls for the abolition of criminal defamation laws, reinforces this stance. “No journalist should endure harassment, intimidation, or silencing due to published content, particularly when such content has been clarified and rectified,” the PUL states.
It can be record that on August 13, 2025, Eric Opa Doue was arrested by court sheriffs at the direction of Associate Magistrate Debah Zuku Debah of the Yarpah Town Magisterial Court. Following his release, he was instructed to reappear on August 18, 2025, which he did but without a lawyer. He was subsequently informed by the Magistrate to re-appear with a legal counsel by August 20, 2025, or risks re-arrest.
Methuselah Gaye was also detained on August 14, 2025, following a complaint by police officer Ojuku Weeks, who filed the criminal coercion charge as a private prosecutor. Officer Weeks alleged that the journalists had published “false allegation” linking him to narcotics possession and bribery.
