Cameroon: Martinez Zogo case investigator concludes high-stakes hearing

Colonel Otoulou defends his investigation in Yaoundé court

Colonel Jean-Pierre Otoulou took the stand to justify his inquiry into the death of journalist Martinez Zogo. He stated that he possesses evidence showing that Bruno Bidjang, a collaborator of businessman Jean-Pierre Amougou Belinga—one of the main suspects—attempted to gather information about investigations targeting him.

While Bidjang tried to prove his innocence, the lawyer for Martinez Zogo’s beneficiaries denounced interference in the proceedings. “This simply reveals what we suspected from the start. He indeed tried to infiltrate the joint commission in an investigation that was supposed to concern him,” said Maître Calvin Job.

Lieutenant-Colonel Danwe 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 Cameroonian presenter Martinez Zogo. He also reportedly assembled operational teams using DGRE personnel. However, he suggested that he received orders from his superiors.

For the lawyers of Léopold Maxime Eko Eko, director general of intelligence at the time, no evidence supports Danwe’s version. “He went on a mission without receiving a 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 Maître Ndjana Ndjana.

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