In Cameroon, the trial for the assassination of journalist Martinez Zogo has reached a crucial stage. The 34th witness to testify, Colonel Jean-Pierre Ottoulou , delivered particularly damning testimony against the three main defendants. However, the defense denounces major inconsistencies and an investigation it considers biased from the outset.

Colonel Ottoulou's key revelations

Colonel Ottoulou, the former head of the gendarmerie in the Central region at the time of the events, led the initial investigation at the site where the body was discovered in Ebogo. Before the court, he maintained his accusations:

1. The Danwe-Belinga collusion : The colonel claims to have quickly detected close ties between Lieutenant Colonel Justin Danwe and businessman Jean-Pierre Amougou Belinga. The latter allegedly even asked him, during an exchange, to "silence" Martinez Zogo.
2. Maxime Eko Eko's suspicious role : According to the witness, the former head of the General Intelligence immediately directed suspicions towards Danwe and Amougou Belinga, a behavior that intrigued investigators from the beginning of the joint investigation.
3. Material elements : Ottoulou also revisited the route of the "Black Presi" (the suspect vehicle) and Danwe's initial confessions.

The defense's response: a "biased" investigation?

The defense lawyers were quick to attack the credibility of this testimony, pointing out blatant contradictions:

Attorney Charles Tchoungang: "[The witness] contradicts his own expert, whom he appointed, namely the prosecutor, who concluded that Mr. Jean-Pierre Amougou Belinga has no connection with the kidnapping, torture, and murder of Martinez Zogo."

Seri Zokou, Esq.: "We have the feeling that the investigation was biased from the outset." The lawyer believes, however, that the witness still has an opportunity to "tell the truth contained in the file" during the upcoming hearings.

Next step: cross-examination

The court adjourned the case to August 2nd and 3rd, 2026. These two days will be entirely devoted to the cross-examination of Colonel Ottoulou by the defense lawyers, a stage which already promises to be tense.