Graphic evidence presented at Yaoundé Military Tribunal in Martinez Zogo murder trial

The recent hearings on June 1 and 2, 2026, at the Yaoundé Military Tribunal have shifted the trajectory of the legal proceedings. The courtroom was shaken by the digital forensic report delivered by Professor Georges Bell Bitjoka, a cybersecurity expert serving as the prosecution’s 32nd witness.

Bitjoka’s mandate involved scrutinizing the digital footprints and mobile devices of the suspects. His investigation led to the discovery of a video documenting the torture and murder of journalist Martinez Zogo, stored within a Google account belonging to one of the accused. The public screening of these three videos on June 1 was abruptly halted due to the overwhelming emotional distress caused by the first public broadcast of the footage.

The visual evidence captures the harrowing confinement and physical abuse endured by Martinez Zogo. In the recordings, the journalist is seen restrained and covered in blood, with his left ear partially severed, as he desperately pleads with his captors for mercy.

According to the findings of Professor Georges Bell Bitjoka: “These files were retrieved from the Google Cloud account of Godje Oumarou Vincent, a former officer at the DGRE who is currently a fugitive.“

The forensic analysis highlighted extensive communication logs directly connecting Justin Danwe, the former DGRE operations director, to the execution of the plot. Furthermore, the court examined details regarding a financial trail involving a payment of 35 million FCFA.

However, the expert noted that technical analysis has yet to establish a direct digital link within the devices of Jean-Pierre Amougou Belinga or Léopold Maxime Eko Eko, the former head of the Direction Générale de la Recherche Extérieure (DGRE). It appears that a significant portion of their digital interactions with Danwe had been erased prior to the investigation.

Proceedings resumed on June 2, 2026, under a somber atmosphere following the previous day’s revelations. This session focused entirely on the cross-examination of Professor Georges Bell Bitjoka by both the military prosecution and the defense counsel.

In response to challenges from the defense, the expert clarified that his work was strictly a technical evaluation of the digital data provided, devoid of personal bias or legal judgment. While lawyers representing Martinez Zogo’s family expressed some concerns regarding the completeness of the data extraction, they acknowledged the significant progress the report represents for the case.

The Yaoundé Military Tribunal concluded the session late on the night of June 2. The trial is scheduled to continue with substantive debates on June 22 and 23, 2026.