The trial of journalist Martinez Zogo’s murder suspects has been adjourned to May 6, 2024, as the court rejected a request by lawyers for a live broadcast of the proceedings.
The case was heard at the Yaoundé military court for a second time today, after the first appearance on March 25.
The trial suspects, including billionaire Jean Pierre Amougou Belinga, and the dismissed director of the secret service (DGRE), Maxime Eko, were ferried from the Kondengui prison to court.
Seventeen suspects are standing trial for the abduction, torture and murder of the Amplitude FM director, whose remains were found mutilated on the outskirts of Yaoundé on January 22, 2023.
This was five days after his abduction.
A preliminary investigation report earlier released by the Examining Magistrate of the Yaoundé Military Court, Pierrot Narcisse Nzie, indicated that the crime was committed by a hired team of Cameroon’s secret service agents and gendarmerie officers.
They were allegedly sponsored by the CEO of Vision 4 television, Jean Pierre Amougou Belinga, who has been behind bars since February 6.
Belinga is facing charges of complicity in the torture of Martinez Zogo.
Last week, when Belinga and other suspects first appeared in court, lawyers defending the murdered journalist requested that the proceedings be broadcast live on television.
There were counter suggestions from some of the lawyers defending the accused.
However, the court has ruled out the live broadcast, which its proponents had argued, would ensure transparency on the court proceedings.
