Martinez Zogo Murder Case Resolved as Cameroonian
The Yaoundé military court in Cameroon concluded its judicial inquiry into the murder of journalist and former radio amplitude FM director Martinez Zogo, who tragically lost his life just over a year ago. The trial is set to commence in the coming weeks, as confirmed by the counter-espionage service. Approximately twenty individuals implicated on various charges have been referred to the court.
This development in Cameroon follows the reclassification of charges for five detainees merely five days ago. Notably, three members of the DGRE, Cameroon’s counter-espionage service, will face prosecution for “assassination.” The businessman and the head of the DGRE are accused of involvement in the death of the radio director, whose tortured body was discovered on the outskirts of Yaoundé in January, only five days after his disappearance.
Léopold Maxime Eko Eko, the suspected instigator, allegedly played a role in provoking or instructing the torture of Martinez Zogo. Throughout the investigation, Eko Eko, the intelligence chief, faced questioning multiple times, including confrontations with his sole accuser, Justin Danwe, and various DGRE agents present during the events.
One notable piece of evidence considered by investigators was a reported meeting where Eko Eko, Justin Danwe, and DGRE technicians allegedly listened to an audio tape attributed to Martinez Zogo containing defamatory remarks about the intelligence services’ head. However, in the release order minutes, the accused parties denied the existence of such a meeting at the situation center with the journalist as the subject.
The murder of Martinez Zogo, also known as Salomon Mbani Zogo, sent shockwaves through Cameroon, leading to widespread outrage. As the host of the popular radio show “Embouteillage” (Gridlock), Zogo regularly exposed corruption and alleged embezzlement, fearlessly naming and questioning influential personalities. The subsequent investigations resulted in the arrest of individuals like Jean-Pierre Amougou Belinga and Léopold Maxime Eko Eko.
International organizations, such as Reporters Without Borders, expressed uncertainty about the investigation’s outcome, citing potential political ramifications reaching the highest levels of the state. The environment was described as on the brink of insurrection by local sources. As the trial unfolds in the coming weeks, it remains a focal point for those advocating for press freedom and justice in Cameroon.
