The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a leading global watchdog headquartered in New York, says it is alarmed by and investigating the arrest of Verity News reporter Methuselah Gaye and Journalist Eric Opa Doue, who was also arrested but released yesterday.
In a brief statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) Thursday, CPJ’s Africa Program said it is “investigating the arrest today (August 14) of journalist Methuselah Gaye in Rivercess County, as well as the arrest and release yesterday (August 13) of journalist Eric Opa Doue.”
The two investigative journalists have been ordered by the Yakpah Town Magisterial Court and the Cestos Magisterial Court, in two separate writs, to be arrested.
The journalists have been releasing series of investigative reports on a suspected drug cartel in River Cess County, which allegedly implicates some State security and Court officials.
The management of Verity News has since demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the journalists, accusing State authorities of “a blatant crackdown on free press and a repressive retaliation against journalists that are doing their job.”
Journalist Methuselah Gaye still remains in jail up to press time.
