We issued the following statement after weekly Cameroon Express Editor Bibi Ngota died of hypertension Wednesday night while in prison in Cameroon’s capital, Yaounde. Ngota was arrested with two other journalists in February for reporting on an alleged corruption case implicating a presidential advisor.
“CPJ sends its deepest condolences to the family and colleagues of Bibi Ngota,” said CPJ Program Coordinator Tom Rhodes. “CPJ holds Cameroonian authorities directly responsible for the death of Ngota who was denied adequate medical treatment while in custody. We demand an immediate inquiry into this matter and assurances that Ngota’s other colleagues in prison have direct access to adequate medical treatment.”