Martinez Zogo trial: Commotion in court as lawyers denied access to case file

By David Atangana

Defense and civil party lawyers in the trial of suspects in the killing of journalist Martinez Zogo caused a stir at the Yaounde Military Tribunal Monday, May 6.

This was during the third hearing of the case that has so far been dragging in court due to technical legal issues raised by parties.

The commotion followed a decision by the court upholding the arguments of the Chief Prosecutor to give lawyers limited access to the case file.

Lawyers representing the government, as civil party, and defense lawyers of the suspects took turns to castigate the court’s decision, deeming it unlawful.

Military Prosecutor, Cerlin Belinga, had submitted that access to the case file is limited to “……reading them and taking down notes and not copies of documents handed to parties”.

This line of argument, upheld by the Presiding Judge, did not resonate with lawyers who stood their grounds against it.

According to the lawyers, “the trial cannot be equitable if all parties don’t have access to the quantity of information as has the prosecution”.

Barrister Claude Assira, who is defending the government, argued that copies of the case file should be made available to lawyers, stating, “Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done”.

Submitting that the rights of the defense have been raped, Barrister Mbouny, representing Justin Danwe, stated that, “We are unable to defend our clients because our hands have been clipped”.

It was the same line of argument held by Barrister Charles Tchoungang, former President of the Cameroon Bar Council, who is the Counsel for the principal suspect and businessman Jean-Pierre Amougou Belinga.

“It is my first time of seeing a judge taking a decision that is not ruling,” said Barrister Tchoungang.

“My colleagues may not know why they don’t want to give us the case file but I know it is because the file is replete with fake documents, non-existent information and baseless manipulation,” he added.

Due to the arguments advanced by defense and civil party lawyers, the case was adjourned to May 27, 2024, for a ruling to settle the contention regarding access to the case file.

The court is also faced with a challenge to settle the status of the government as a civil party in the case.

It should be noted that at least 17 suspects held in pre-detention trial are yet to be called to the duck to plead guilty or not.

Several government Ministers and State security operatives have been listed as witnesses in the case.

Meanwhile, the government has been implicated as a civil party to the case because Zogo’s murder was orchestrated by a team of government officials, using state resources in the course.

The radio director, Martinez Zogo, was abducted and brutally murdered in January 2023.

Business magnate Jean Pierre Belinga Amougou is a principal suspect in the case alongside several state security agents including former director of military spy unit (DGRE), Maxime Eko Eko and the former DGRE director of operations, Justin Danwe.

©Mimi Mefo Info