Rural Reporters News Network (RRNN) is appalled by the targeted imprisonment of one of its network members, journalist Eric Opa Doue to 30 days in prison, and called for his immediate release. The jailing of journalist Eric by the Cestos City Magisterial Court in Rivercess County is nothing, but a deliberate act to even score with him for his history of critical reporting in the county.
Journalist Eric was jailed on Monday, September 8, 2025, on the order of Magistrate Dixon Yeahgar, in what RRNN terms as attempt to harass. intimidate and silence him.
RRNN is aware of earlier understanding between the parties to settle the matter in chambers with the consent of the County Attorney of Rivercess, Martin Tumow and police officer Ojuku Weeks. Unfortunately, judicial authorities under the gavel of Magistrate Yeahgbar ignored the previous settlement which all parties agreed to and went ahead to jail the journalist.
The rural journalists’ network of over 27 members is extremely troubled by the actions of Magistrate Yeahgar, the County Attorney, Martin Tumoe, and police officer Ojuku Weeks against Journalist Eric.
We think that Magistrate Yeahgar, acting under pretense, has misused/misapplied his judicial power by erroneously detaining one of our network members who does not deserve such harsh punishment.
The network strongly condemns this abuse of judicial power and called for the immediate release of their members within 24 hours.
On August 13, 2025, Journalist 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 on the same day, 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.
On August 15, 2025, Journalist Eric was taken to prison at the Cestos Prison due to his inability to secure a cash bond. He was released based on personal recognizance, after spending a night in jail.
Following his release, the Yarpah Town Magisterial Court dropped the “criminal contempt of court” charge against him on August 20, 2025 after concerted efforts by the Press Union.
Journalist Eric, acting on in-chambers settlement, apologized and retracted his publication with evidence presented to the court. To our surprise, the court sentenced journalist Eric to 30-days imprisonment on grounds that he did not present hardcopy of the newspapers he made the publication in.
The Rural Reporters News Networks wishes to state for the record that the “Kamara Abdullah Kamara Act of Press Freedom” is a significant piece of legislation in Liberia that decriminalized free speech offenses.
In view of the foregoing, the Rural Reporters News Network is calling on the judicial authority of River Cess County to unconditionally release journalist Eric Opa Doue and restore his rights without any precondition.
Signed By:
Paul M. Kanneh
Team Leader/RRNN
