Article: Tribute to Martinez Zogo, the radio host who marked Yaoundé
On January 22, 2023, the city of Yaoundé lost one of its most famous radio hosts, Martinez Zogo. Known for his denunciations in his daily program “Embouteillage” broadcast on Amplitude FM, Martinez Zogo was found dead in the suburbs of the city, five days after his abduction. Since then, an investigation has been underway to shed light on the circumstances of his death.
According to the latest information, a dozen people have been charged with “complicity in shadowing, kidnapping and torture”. The investigating judge at the Yaoundé military court recently renewed the provisional detention of these suspects for an additional six months. Among the accused is Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Danwe, director of operations at the Directorate General of External Research (DGRE). His hearing is scheduled soon.
Justin Danwe’s lawyer stressed that this renewal of the pre-trial detention in no way prejudges the veracity of the charges against his client. The other defendants, including DGRE officers, are suspected of having been part of the team responsible for the surveillance, abduction, torture and abandonment of Martinez Zogo.
It is important to note that at this stage, none of the defendants are charged with murder or complicity in murder. The lawyer representing the family of Martinez Zogo requests an expertise to determine the exact cause of his death, as well as a reclassification of the charges against the defendants. The host’s body is still in the morgue of the Yaoundé central hospital.
The assassination of Martinez Zogo aroused great emotion in Cameroon, as well as abroad. His show “Bottleneck” was very popular and he was respected for his courageous denunciations. His tragic death highlights the risks journalists and media professionals face when tackling sensitive topics.
In conclusion, the loss of Martinez Zogo is a real shock for the community of Yaoundé. Let’s hope that the ongoing legal investigation will shed light on this case and do justice to this committed radio host.
(Note: This text is a rewrite of the original article, bringing a fresh perspective and improving the style of writing