Lieutenant-Colonel Parfait Ayissi Nanga, who participated in the investigation into Cameroonian journalist Martinez Zogo’s murder, has challenged its findings. During hearings on October 26 and 27, 2026, before the Yaoundé Military Tribunal, the prosecution’s 36th witness described the investigation as a “sham.”

Ayissi Nanga accused Colonel Jean-Pierre Otoulou and Lieutenant-Colonel Dieudonné Bialo, two other prosecution witnesses, of identifying the alleged killers and masterminds without supporting evidence.

The officer claimed that investigators removed him from the case as he approached those he believes were responsible for the murder. He also alleged that disagreements with his colleagues over investigative methods exposed him to pressure.

Ayissi Nanga accused Martin Savom, the former mayor of Bibey and a defendant in the case, of killing Zogo. However, Savom’s lawyer, Clément Ananga, rejected the allegation.

“Criminal law leaves little room for hypotheses,” Ananga said, according to RFI. He argued that the witness had failed to demonstrate his client’s direct involvement in the murder.

Lawyers representing the civil parties also questioned Ayissi Nanga’s reconstruction of events. According to his account, some members of the commando transported Zogo before leaving his body at the location where authorities later discovered it. The parties continue to dispute this version during the proceedings.

Toyota Prado Identified as Alleged Torture Site

During his testimony, Ayissi Nanga described his examination of the Toyota Prado that investigators identified as the vehicle used to abduct Zogo.

He said he detected a strong smell of human excrement inside the vehicle, along with used engine oil and a white powder.

The officer interpreted these findings as evidence that the perpetrators had tortured Zogo inside the vehicle and attempted to conceal traces of the abuse. However, this interpretation remains Ayissi Nanga’s account before the court rather than an established judicial finding.

The officer also alleged that he has faced intimidation since joining the investigation. He attributed his October 17 arrest to an instruction that he claims originated from Galax Etoga, Cameroon’s secretary of state for defence in charge of the gendarmerie.

Ayissi Nanga further accused Savom of attempting to have him killed in Ebolowa during the night of August 19–20, 2026.

In response, the government commissioner asked the witness to provide physical evidence supporting his allegations.

The court extended the hearings into Wednesday, October 28, beyond the originally scheduled October 26–27 sessions. After suspending proceedings on Tuesday evening, the court scheduled the continuation of Ayissi Nanga’s testimony for noon on Wednesday.

The lieutenant colonel said he intended to present additional information about the identities of those he suspects of ordering Zogo’s murder.

By Jacques Eboka Eboka with files from Sbbc