Cameroon’s Martinez Zogo case: lead investigator wraps up critical hearing

In a courtroom session that drew intense attention, the main investigator in the Martinez Zogo case, Colonel Jean-Pierre Otoulou, concluded his testimony after defending the methods and findings of his inquiry. He asserted that he had gathered substantial evidence, including indications that journalist Bruno Bidjang, who at the time worked with businessman Jean-Pierre Amougou Belinga—one of the key defendants—had attempted to obtain information about the investigation targeting him.

While Bidjang sought to prove his innocence, the lawyer representing Martinez Zogo’s heirs denounced what he described as interference in the judicial process. “This simply confirms what we suspected from the start. He indeed tried to infiltrate the joint commission in an investigation that was supposed to concern him,” stated Attorney Calvin Job.

Lieutenant-colonel claims he acted on orders

During exchanges with Colonel Otoulou, Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Danwe of the DGRE admitted to planning the surveillance, abduction, and torture of Cameroonian presenter Martinez Zogo. He also reportedly assembled the operational teams using DGRE personnel. However, he suggested that he had received instructions from his superiors.

For the lawyers of Léopold Maxime Eko Eko, who headed the general intelligence service at the time of the events, no evidence supports Danwe’s version. “He went on a mission without receiving any mission order or funding. When he returned, he made no report to his hierarchy. The simple conclusion is that this was a personal initiative by Colonel Danwe,” said Attorney Ndjana Ndjana.

Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Danwe further reiterated that Martinez Zogo’s torture did not take place in the Ekang building, which is owned by Jean-Pierre Amougou Belinga.