Assassination of Cameroonian presenter Martinez Zogo: reclassification of charges against five people
In Cameroon, new stage in the investigation into the assassination of presenter Martinez Zogo on February 26, 2024 with the reclassification of the charges against some of the people accused.
The military court, in charge of judicial information, notified Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Danwe, former director of operations of the Cameroonian counter-espionage service (DGRE), and Martin Stéphane Savom, mayor of the commune of Bibey, two of the accused in this case, that they will now be prosecuted for “
complicity in assassination
”.
Three others will have to answer to the accusation of “
assassination
”.
Listen - 01:03
In Cameroon, journalist Martinez Zogo found dead in January 2023. © AFPTV
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With our correspondent in Yaoundé,
Polycarpe Essomba
Of the twenty people charged, five are currently subject to these reclassifications.
These include the former director of operations of the DGRE, Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Danwe, formerly prosecuted for “
complicity in kidnapping and torture
”, now accused of “
complicity in assassination
”.
Lieutenant Colonel Danwe who has long admitted to having played a role in the kidnapping and torture
of Martinez Zogo
but who today refutes having participated in any assassination planning.
Also listen Major report - Cameroon: the assassination of Martinez Zogo, one year later
Under the same offense of complicity in assassination, Martin Stéphane Savom, known to be the mayor of the small town of Bibey, located 260 kilometers from Yaoundé.
Searches carried out at his home and the exploitation of his mobile phones in recent weeks made it possible, according to RFI sources, to establish his links with Martinez Zogo, but also Justin Danwe and the members of the commando.
As for the qualification of assassination, it would concern three DGRE agents.
This is a notable development in the conduct of judicial information.
Because, until now, those accused had essentially had to answer for the facts of “
complicity in torture by aiding and failing to comply with instructions
”.
I was a little surprised.
I wonder why this requalification?
My client is clear on this and categorical: there was never any question of taking Martinez Zogo's life.
01:02
Justin Danwe's lawyer, Maître Jacques Mbuny
Amélie Tulet
These requalifications were one of the requests from the advice of several beneficiaries of Martinez Zogo.
Maître Calvin Job, lawyer in particular for the widow and sister of the deceased, spoke of “
a relief
” on Monday evening while asking that all the people implicated in this procedure be affected by these reclassifications.
The beneficiaries of Martinez Zogo see that a qualification in line with the torture suffered by Martinez Zogo is taken by the investigating judge.
00:54
Maître Calvin Job, lawyer for the beneficiaries of Martinez Zogo
Amélie Tulet
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