Cameroon: Martinez Zogo case investigator wraps up key testimony

Colonel Jean-Pierre Otoulou took the stand to defend the conduct of his investigation into the death of Cameroonian journalist Martinez Zogo, telling the court he had gathered evidence that Bruno Bidjang — a former associate of businessman Jean-Pierre Amougou Belinga, one of the main defendants — had tried to obtain information about inquiries targeting him.

Bidjang sought to prove his innocence, but the lawyer for Martinez Zogo’s heirs described the move as an attempt to interfere with the proceedings. “It simply confirms what we suspected from the start. He did try to infiltrate this joint commission in an investigation that was supposed to concern him,” said attorney Calvin Job.

The lieutenant-colonel says he acted on orders

In his exchanges with Colonel Otoulou, Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Danwe of the DGRE acknowledged that he planned the surveillance, abduction and torture of the Cameroonian broadcaster Martinez Zogo. He is also said to have assembled the operational teams using DGRE personnel. He nevertheless suggested he had received instructions from his superiors.

For the lawyers of Léopold Maxime Eko Eko, who headed the general intelligence directorate at the time of the events, no evidence backs that account. “He went on a mission without receiving any mission order or funding. When he returned, he made no report to his superiors. The simple conclusion is that this was a personal initiative by Colonel Danwe,” said attorney Ndjana Ndjana.

Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Danwe also reiterated that the torture of Martinez Zogo did not take place in the Ekang building, which is owned by Jean-Pierre Amougou Belinga.