The lead investigator in the Martinez Zogo murder case has concluded a crucial court appearance in Yaoundé, defending his inquiry into the killing of the prominent Cameroonian broadcaster.
Colonel Otoulou stands by his investigation
Colonel Jean-Pierre Otoulou took the stand to justify his work, insisting he has solid evidence. Among his claims, he pointed to journalist Bruno Bidjang, a former associate of businessman Jean-Pierre Amougou Belinga, one of the main suspects in the case. According to Otoulou, Bidjang sought information about investigations that concerned him.
Defense lawyer alleges interference in the probe
While Bidjang tried to prove his innocence, the lawyer representing Martinez Zogo’s heirs denounced what he called meddling in the judicial process. “This simply reveals what we suspected from the start. He effectively tried to infiltrate this joint commission in an investigation that was supposed to concern him,” said attorney Calvin Job.
Lieutenant-colonel claims he acted on orders
In exchanges with Colonel Otoulou, Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Danwe of the DGRE admitted to planning the surveillance, abduction and torture of Martinez Zogo. He also reportedly assembled the operational teams using DGRE personnel. However, he suggested he was following orders from his superiors.
No proof of orders, lawyers for intelligence chief say
For the lawyers of Léopold Maxime Eko Eko, who headed the general intelligence service at the time, no evidence supports Danwe’s account. “He went on a mission without receiving any mission order or funding. When he returned, he made no report to his superiors. Simple conclusion: this was a personal initiative by Colonel Danwe,” said attorney Ndjana Ndjana.
Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Danwe also reaffirmed that Martinez Zogo’s torture did not take place in the Ekang building, which belongs to Jean-Pierre Amougou Belinga.
