Two years have passed since the brutal murder of Martinez Zogo, a journalist and radio host renowned for his courageous exposés of corruption and misuse of power in Cameroon.
On January 17, 2023, Zogo was abducted and later found dead, his body bearing the marks of torture.
The case sent shockwaves through the nation, raising pressing questions about press freedom, political interference, and justice in Cameroon.
How Martinez Zogo’s Murder Happened
On the evening of January 17, 2023, armed individuals abducted Martinez Zogo, whose civil name was Arsène Salomon Mbani Zogo, near the gendarmerie post at Nkol-Nkondi in Yaoundé.
Reports suggest that his car, with its damaged bodywork, was discovered near the scene, indicating a possible struggle to escape.
Five days later, on January 22, Zogo’s lifeless body was found at Ebogo. The locality is 15 kilometers from the political capital Yaounde.
Authorities confirmed that he died from torture.
This tragedy was compounded by the eerie circumstances surrounding it.
Days before his disappearance, Zogo’s wife reported two incidents of sabotage to her husband’s vehicle.
This included severed brakes, which led to an accident shortly before his abduction.
Justice Delayed for Martinez Zogo
The investigation into Zogo’s murder quickly escalated into a politically charged case.
High-profile individuals, including Léopold Maxime Eko Eko, the former head of counterintelligence, and businessman Jean Pierre Amougou Belinga, were implicated alongside members of the Directorate General of External Research (DGRE).
Lieutenant Colonel Justin Danwe and other DGRE operatives were also detained.
Despite the arrests, progress has been slow.
The trial of 17 accused individuals at the Yaoundé military tribunal has been mired in procedural delays.
This has caused frustration of Zogo’s family and legal representatives.
His body remain under judicial seal at the Central Hospital mortuary in Yaoundé, a reminder of the unresolved nature case.
Signs of Interference
Maître Calvin Job, lawyer for Zogo’s family, describes the trial’s delay as reflective of “a profound malaise within military justice.”
He has called on magistrates to demonstrate “pride and independence” to ensure the trial moves forward.
The involvement of the Delegation of National Security and Cameroon’s intelligence agency, in what has been described as an “as a state affair” underscores the gravity of Zogo’s murder.
The journalist, who was born on September 29, 1972, in Yaoundé, dedicated his career to exposing corruption.
He also fought against financial impropriety, earning both praise and powerful enemies.
