The 36th witness in the Martinez Zogo assassination case, Lieutenant-Colonel Parfait Ayissi Nanga, testified before the Yaoundé Military Tribunal on October 27. He claimed that he has been the target of threats and intimidation, which he believes are attempts to prevent him from giving his testimony. Ayissi Nanga stated that he has received alerts and perceived "manigances de longue date" against him.
During the hearing, Ayissi Nanga explained that the absence of the 35th witness on October 5 and 6, who had an order of mission for Algiers, was seen as a pretext to gain time and block his own testimony. He alleged that the authorities changed the investigation from a security inquiry to an administrative and then judicial one, in an attempt to intimidate him. The lieutenant-colonel also stated that he has been subject to a double interdiction of leaving the territory since November, which he considers to be an illegal measure.
Ayissi Nanga requested to play an audio recording with the Inspector No. 1 of the National Gendarmerie, which was authorized by the court president after questioning its content. In the recording, Ayissi Nanga confirmed that he was the one who recorded it, and it featured a conversation with an accused individual and someone named M. Savom. The context of the exchange was that Ayissi Nanga was in Ebolowa, while the other two individuals were online.
The public prosecutor sought to focus the hearing on the core of the investigation, and Ayissi Nanga clarified his role in the case. As a trainee at the International War School, he claimed to have convinced the Secretary of State to integrate him into the team. He then detailed five phases of the investigation, including the abduction of Martinez Zogo on January 17, as he had previously stated within the mixed investigation commission.
Ayissi Nanga presented evidence, including screenshots, which he claimed implicated the accused, Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Danwe. The witness maintained that he was not trying to avoid testifying, but rather was being deliberately targeted. His testimony was closely followed by the court, as it is a crucial part of the investigation into Martinez Zogo's assassination.
The case has garnered significant attention in Cameroon, and the testimony of Ayissi Nanga is seen as a key part of the investigation. Martinez Zogo, a journalist, was abducted on January 17, and his fate remains a subject of concern for human rights groups and the Cameroonian authorities. The court will continue to hear from witnesses and gather evidence to determine the circumstances surrounding Martinez Zogo's disappearance.
The trial is ongoing, and the court has yet to reach a verdict. The case has raised concerns about the security situation in Cameroon and the protection of journalists and witnesses. The authorities have been urged to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation into Martinez Zogo's disappearance.
Key points
- Lieutenant-Colonel Parfait Ayissi Nanga, the 36th witness, alleges threats and intimidation aimed at preventing him from testifying in the Martinez Zogo assassination case.
