The high-stakes trial surrounding the 2023 murder of Martinez Zogo, a prominent Cameroonian radio host, resumed on June 1, 2026, at the military court in Yaoundé. A chilling video, recovered from a suspect’s digital devices, was presented to the court. The footage, never before seen publicly, shows the late journalist bound, bloodied, and pleading for help.
Martinez Zogo, host of the popular radio program Embouteillages on Amplitudes FM, had gained notoriety for his unflinching criticism of public figures in Cameroon. His abduction and brutal killing in January 2023 shocked the nation. The trial, which began in March 2024, entered a critical phase with the introduction of this damning evidence.
Forensic analysis reveals shocking evidence
On June 1, 2026, the court heard testimony from Professor Georges Bell Bitjocka, a digital forensics expert. His analysis of the accused’s phones uncovered the video, along with numerous screenshots linked to the crime. Among the defendants whose devices were examined were Jean-Pierre Amougou Belinga, Bruno Bidjang, and Martin Savom.
Emotional courtroom reaction
The video’s projection left the courtroom in stunned silence. Several attendees were visibly moved to tears as they witnessed the journalist’s final moments. Ludovic Zabze, attorney for Amplitudes FM, described the moment: “By the end of the video, I couldn’t bear to look at the accused. Even they appeared shattered by what they saw.”
The footage was traced back to Godje Oumarou, one of the accused and a member of the suspected execution squad. Prosecutors allege he recorded the video on the night of January 17, 2023—the same evening Zogo was abducted.
Key figures in the dock
The trial has implicated 17 suspects, all currently detained. Among the most prominent are Léopold Maxime Eko Eko, former director of Cameroon’s external intelligence agency (DGRE); Lieutenant Colonel Justin Danwe, a former DGRE operations director; and Stéphane Martin Savom, a mayor from the Central region. The case also includes Jean-Pierre Amougou Belinga, head of the press group L’Anecdote.
Defense challenges evidence
Maxime Eko Eko’s lawyer, Séri Zokou, argued that his client had “no connection whatsoever to the crime.” He claimed the evidence presented was mishandled and that the phone data was improperly submitted to investigators. Calvin Job, attorney for Zogo’s family, countered: “If the court relies on this report, it will have already completed 98% of its work.”
Unraveling the case
Martinez Zogo, whose real name was Arsène Salomon Mbani Zogo, was 51 years old when his body was discovered on January 22, 2023, near Yaoundé. He had been stripped naked and showed signs of severe torture. His death followed his abduction on January 17, 2023, after an evening broadcast.
The trial, which began procedural hearings in March 2024, has faced delays but now appears to be gaining momentum. With the presentation of this harrowing video, the court is closer to uncovering the full truth behind one of Cameroon’s most notorious crimes.
