By Charity Nginyu
Recent revelations have surfaced regarding the extensive surveillance of Cameroonian journalist Martinez Zogo, with court documents indicating that he had been under scrutiny since at least 2015.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) revealed that a 20-page referral to trial document which they reviewed shed light on a sophisticated surveillance operation orchestrated by Maxime Eko Eko, the former head of the DGRE counterintelligence agency.
He and Jean-Pierre Amougou Belinga, a prominent businessman and media figure were featured among 17 suspects in the murder case of the deceased journalist Martinez Zogo.
Despite Eko Eko’s denial of direct involvement, testimonies suggest his complicity in the surveillance initiative, known as the ‘Presse’ dossier.
‘The court document said Eko Eko denied involvement, saying Zogo was never a threat to him and the operation against the journalist was Danwe’s personal initiative; however, Nzié said Eko Eko could not claim this, as he had ordered th
e DGRE to surveil the journalist since 2015 as part of the ‘Presse’ dossier,’ stated CPJ.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, Zogo’s outspoken criticism of corruption, particularly his allegations against Belinga, likely motivated the surveillance efforts.
The journalist’s radio show, Embouteillage, served as a platform for exposing widespread corruption involving funds from the Cameroonian treasury.
He was found dead on January 22, 2023, after being reported missing five days earlier. Just a week prior to his abduction, Zogo publicly accused Belinga of corruption during his radio program.
The revelation of extensive surveillance dating back seven years paints a troubling picture of the dangers faced by journalists in Cameroon.
In reaction to the said information, the CPJ asked that Cameroonian authorities disclose which journalists, in addition to murdered journalist Martinez Zogo, have been targeted for surveillance by the country’s counterintelligence service.
Source: Cameroon News Ag
ency
OTJIWARONGO: A 34-year-old man died instantly in the early hours of Sunday after he was allegedly stabbed in the chest by his girlfriend at their house in Okahandja.
Namibian Police Force (NamPol)’s Otjozondjupa Crime Investigations Coordinator, Deputy Commissioner, Edna Nawa, in an interview with Nampa on Sunday said the deceased was identified as Sebedeus Davis.
His close relatives were also informed on Sunday about his death, said Nawa.
The incident occurred at about 01h05 on Sunday morning at Nau-Aib township at the town, Nawa said.
‘It is alleged that Davis and his 40-year-old girlfriend had an argument over food shortly after their arrival home from a drinking place,’ Nawa stated.
She added that the police’s preliminary investigations indicate that the deceased allegedly took a wooden plank and hit the girlfriend while demanding for food.
In return, the suspect (girlfriend) who was preparing a meal for him, allegedly pick up a kitchen knife and stabbed Davis once on the left upper chest area.
Dav
is sustained a deep cut wound, and as he tried to walk a few steps towards the door to exit, he fell down, said Nawa.
The suspect walked to the Okahandja Police Station herself and reported the matter.
She was apprehended there on a murder charge.
However, she was taken to the hospital by the police for the medical treatment on the alleged bruises she sustained in the altercation.
A knife suspected to have been used in the stabbing was also found and confiscated by the police.
The woman is expected to appear in the Okahandja Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Source: The Namibia Press Agency