Assassination of Martinez Zogo: Vision 4 boss, Amougou Belinga, arrested for alleged involvement!.

He was arrested alongside the Director General of his media empire, Bruno Bidjang and the chief of his private security, retired army colonel, Etoundi Nsoe, who doubles as his father-in-law.

The circumstances leading to his arrest remained sketchy at press time yesterday but the move came less than five days after the influential businessman was reportedly interrogated at the Secretariat of State for Defence, SED, in Yaounde.

It was not immediately disclosed Monday while Amougou Belinga was apprehended.

However, speculations are rife that his arrest is not unconnected to the brutal murder of Yaounde radio journalist, Arsène Salomon Mbami Zogo, popularly known as Martinez Zogo.

Amougou Belinga’s name has repeatedly been cited as one of the suspects in the murder case which has attracted global attention.

His arrest, alongside two of his close aides comes days after several persons including top security officials were arrested and detained in connection with the murder of Martinez Zogo.

Amougou Belinga’s L'Anecdote Group confirmed his arrest yesterday morning and said he was being held by gendarmes in the capital city.

The statement issued by the Communication Officer of the media conglomerate, Ines Arielle Belinga, however did not disclose the reason for the arrest.

She merely wrote: “This is not a rumour…Jean Pierre Amougou Belinga, CEO of the L’Anecdote Group was indeed arrested on Monday February 6, 2023”.

“He has certainly not received any summons. But he is currently in the premises of the Secretariat of State for Defence as part of an investigation,” added the statement which immediately stated that: “This is a procedure that is taking its course, and we know that the investigators are only doing their job”.

It then cautioned: “To avoid misinformation and dispersion, it is best to remain attentive to official sources that can inform us on the evolution of this situation”.

“We take this opportunity to thank all those who, from far and near, support Jean Pierre Amougou Belinga, at these moments. And we call on you all to remain calm. Let us keep our cool and be patient,” the statement stated.

It maintained that: “We reassure you that the various companies of L’Anecdote Group will continue to operate without exception…”

“We insist on not giving in to panic and provocation,” the statement concluded.

Meanwhile, it should be recalled that President Paul Biya, had last week ordered an immediate probe into the abduction and subsequent brutal assassination of the Yaounde-based Amplitude FM Station Manager, Martinez Zogo.

The lifeless body of the 51-year-old Zogo, in an advanced state of decomposition, was discovered in the locality of Ebogo-Soa, in  Yaounde. The discovery was made on January 22, 2023, five days after he had been kidnapped by unidentified persons.

According to Reporters Without Borders, RSF, the body bore signs of probable torture before he was killed.

In a leaked message which circulated January 27, the Secretary General at the Presidency, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, said President Biya had instructed the National Gendarmerie to lead the probe in collaboration with the General Delegation for National Security.

Ngoh Ngoh had tasked the defence and security forces to shed light “on the circumstances of the journalist’s death and establish responsibilities” and also “ensure the results are communicated to me for transmission to the Head of State”.

Martinez Zogo’s murder left many within and without Cameroon in shock.

He was host of popular daily radio show, Embouteillage, on Amplitude FM.

He used the programme to denounce ills like corruption, favouritism, nepotism and bad governance. In denouncing these ills, Zogo wasted no time in citing the names of those suspected of wrongdoing.

It makes meaning to mention that weeks before his kidnap and subsequent assassination, Zogo ran a series on the now arrested L’anecdote Group President, Amougou Belinga, accusing him of colliding with some members of government and top officials at the Presidency to milk the State of several billions. He had also accused Amougou Belinga of receiving tens of billions from the controversial line 94 and 95 fund.

Analysts say Amougou Belinga’s arrest might have been prompted on the premises that Zogo’s kidnap and assassination came barely few days after the former ran a series on his alleged financial scam.

While that remains mere speculation, judicial analysts say Amougou Belinga’s alleged involvement in the assassination of Martinez Zogo will only be established after investigations.

It should be recalled that so far, at least 20 people, including the head of the country’s intelligence service and his assistant in-charge of operations, have been arrested in connection to the journalist’s murder.

Sources say more arrests, including even some top government officials, might be effected in the days to come.

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