Four Cameroonian journalists have been released without charge after spending five days in custody over allegations that they stole a government minister’s eyeglasses.

According to media reports, the journalists identified as, François Essomba, Igor Gwet Bibey, Solange Djuikam and Pierre Mouchili were arrested on September 16 while covering the closing of the Islamic Development Bank Group Days at the Palais des Congrès in Yaoundé.

The four were taken into custody after eyeglasses belonging to Alamine Ousmane Mey, the Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Development, reportedly went missing during the event.

The glasses were reportedly found the following day inside the minister’s personal vehicle, according to Cameroonian media outlet LeBledParle.

However, the journalists remained in custody as authorities continued investigating a separate allegation that they had entered a closed-door meeting without permission.

The four journalists were taken before a prosecutor on September 18, but the matter was later returned to police for further investigation

According to media publications, their continued detention attracted criticism from the National Union of Information and Communication Professionals (SPIC), which described it as “arbitrary and abusive”.

The union reportedly said the journalists had been attending the event as part of their professional duties. They were released on Monday, September 21, after five days in custody.

According to LeBledParle, no charges had been filed against them following the investigation at the time of their release.