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The Cameroonian Ministry of Justice has declared the DGRE civilly liable for the murder of journalist Martinez Jogo. This is a major turning point in the trial.
Trial Surrounding the Tragic Murder of Journalist Martinez HustleThe former head of Amplitude FM radio station experienced significant developments during the ninth hearing held at the Military Court of Yaoundé on August 19, 2024. A long and tense hearing resulted in the Directorate-General for External Research (DGRE) losing the status of a civil party, a turning point that could change the course of this complex trial.
Denial of probation and the state’s civil liability
The hearing on 19 August began with an important reminder from the Government Commissioner, who reiterated that the State bears civil liability for the actions of its agents, especially those operating within the DGRE. This statement immediately highlighted the key issue in this trial, namely that the State is indirectly implicated by the actions of its representatives. The Court therefore rejected the requests for a stay filed by the parties, confirming that the trial will continue without interruption despite the appeal to the Supreme Court.
A highlight of the hearing was the court’s decision to revoke the DGRE’s status as a civil party. This decision was seen as a victory by defense lawyers, especially Maître Jacques Mbuny, but it also raised questions about the DGRE’s role in the case. Me Mbuny said that the DGRE, as a state institution, could not play both the role of a victim and a responsible civilian in this trial. This decision marked a strategic turning point because it gave the DGRE a position of accountability for the outcome of the trial.
Towards national accountability
For the defence, the decision is crucial as it opens the way for the state to be potentially censured for its ability to be held accountable for the actions of its agents. Me Mbuny stressed that any possible conviction would directly implicate the DGRE, reinforcing the view that the state cannot evade its responsibility in the matter. Me Seri Zokou, lawyer for former DGRE director Maxime Eko Eko, for his part, expressed disappointment with the decision, arguing that the court should have granted a stay of execution due to the cassation appeal filed with the Supreme Court.
The remaining trial will be held on September 9, 2024
The story has been going on for more than a year and there seems to be no end in sight. The trial has been postponed until September 9, 2024, when proceedings will finally begin. This date is anxiously awaited by the victims’ families and observers who hope to finally get to the bottom of a murder that has shocked Cameroon and beyond. The postponement means new twists and turns while the parties involved refine their strategy for the next phase of the trial.
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