The trial commenced for the murder of esteemed Cameroonian journalist Arsene Salomon Mbani Zogo, alias “Martinez,” with 17 individuals, including a former secret service chief, appearing in court.
However, the proceedings swiftly adjourned until April 15. Zogo, a vocal advocate against corruption and cronyism, was abducted and later discovered mutilated near a police station outside Yaounde on January 17 the previous year.
Among the accused are high-ranking officials such as Leopold Maxime Eko Eko, the former director of Cameroon’s military intelligence, and wealthy businessman Jean-Pierre Amougou Belinga, allegedly linked to government figures.
The defendants remained impassive during the hearing, which lasted three hours, where charges of involvement in Zogo’s abduction, torture, and murder were presented.
Colonel Jacques Misse Njone presided over the session, deferring the case to the following month to address legal matters and finalise witness lists.
Calvin Job, representing the Zogo family, expressed discontent over the exclusion of civil parties in the investigation process.
“This is unacceptable. To date, I have not had access to the file,” he added.
The court commissioner promised to rectify that and make the file available.
