Martinez Zogo Trial Adjourned: Key Defence Counsel’s Trip Forces Month-long Delay

The highly anticipated hearing in the assassination case of renowned radio journalist Martinez Zogo was abruptly adjourned on Monday, May 11, 2026, at the Yaounde Military Tribunal. The trial, which was scheduled to span two days, was postponed to June 1 and 2, 2026, following a request from the defence counsel for one of the key accused, Lieutenant Colonel Justin Danwe.

Unavoidably Absent 
The proceedings, which began under heavy scrutiny, were cut short shortly after the court convened. The delay stems from a written request submitted by Maître Jacques Mbouny, the lawyer representing Lt. Col. Danwe, a high-ranking figure within the DGRE (Directorate General of External Research) counter-espionage service.
In his letter addressed to the President of the Tribunal, Colonel Misse Njone Jacques Baudouin, Maître Mbouny cited an unavoidable trip abroad lasting until the end of May 2026 as the reason for his inability to attend the hearing. Upon reading the letter in open court, Colonel Misse Njone invited submissions from the various parties.
The State Counsel, Lt. Col. Belinga Cerlin, alongside counsel for the civil claimants - Maître Joseph Kenmoe and Barrister Ashu Tambe Zacharie, who represent the Zogo family - indicated that they had no objections to the adjournment request. Consequently, the President of the Court ruled to postpone the matter until early June 2026.

Protocol, Anticipation 
Prior to the adjournment, the courtroom witnessed the standard procedural formalities of the "Affaire Ancienne." Sixteen of the accused, currently detained at the Kondengui, Yaounde Principal Prison and the Kondengui, Yaounde Central Prison, arrived in the courtroom at 10:14 a.m. Bruno Bidjang, a journalist and accused currently on bail, arrived separately from his residence a few minutes later.
The hearing officially commenced at 11:29 a.m. with the entrance of the panel of judges, led by President Col. Misse Njone Jacques Baudouin, assisted by Mr. Justice Fenchou Tabopda Gabriel and Mrs. Justice Ngouongue Sandrine.
The President proceeded with a roll call of the 17 defendants and their respective legal teams. The defense is robust, comprising 22 lawyers and law firms representing the various interests of the accused, ranging from high-ranking military officers to civilians.

Technical Witness Left Waiting
The prosecution had prepared to examine Professor Bell-Bitjoka, an IT specialist listed among the expert witnesses. His examination-in-chief, originally slated to continue from the April 2026 hearing, was expected to shed light on technical aspects of the case – especially the contents of the phones and computers seized from the accused. However, the immediate adjournment meant his testimony was halted before it could begin.
The session concluded swiftly at 11:55 a.m., leaving the packed courtroom and the family of the late journalist to wait another month for the proceedings to continue.

Background Of The Case 
The trial centers on the kidnapping, torture, and assassination of Martinez Zogo (Arsène Salomon Mbani Zogo), a vocal critic of public mismanagement. The defendants face a litany of severe charges under the Cameroonian Penal Code and the Code of Military Justice. The charges include torture and assassination (murder); conspiracy to commit torture, arrest, and kidnapping; complicity in torture and kidnapping; violation of orders (conduct likely to tarnish the image of the Defense Forces), and usurpation of title.

Key Accused Persons  
The key defendants include Lt. Col. Justin Danwe, Senior Police Commissioner Léopold Maxime Eko Eko, and media mogul Jean Pierre Amougou Belinga. The State of Cameroon is also listed as a civil party, represented by Maître Assira, acknowledging potential civil liability for the actions of its agents.
The trial, which has drawn significant national and international attention, is scheduled to resume on June 1, 2026, at the Military Tribunal behind the General Headquarters in Yaoundé.

The 17 defendants are:
1.    Danwe Justin - Lieutenant-Colonel
2.    Eko Eko Léopold Maxime - Senior Police Commissioner (Commissaire Divisionnaire)
3.    Amougou Belinga Jean Pierre - Civilian 
4.    Ebo’o Clément Jules - Chief Warrant Officer 
5.    Nzockmenping Martial Théodore – 1st Class Private 
6.    Lenoir Dawa Bosco - Corporal 
7.    Bakaiwe Sylvain - Corporal 
8.    Tongue Nana Stéphane - Staff Sergeant 
9.    Daouda - Corporal (Cal)
10.    Lamfu Johnson Ngam – Chief Warrant Officer (Adjutant Chef)
11.    Godje Oumarou Vincent - Sergeant 
12.    Saiwang Yves - Police Officer 
13.    Heudji Guy Serges - Police Officer 
14.    Savom Martin - Civilian 
15.    Bidzongo Mbede Albert (Arthur Essomba) - Civilian 
16.    Engwele Ngwele Etienne Jacques - Civilian 
17.    Bidjang Oba’a Bikoro Bruno François - Civilian 

Protocol, Anticipation 
Prior to the adjournment, the courtroom witnessed the standard proc...