By presidential decree of August 31, 2026, the former government commissioner at the military court of Yaoundé also assumes the functions of investigating judge at the same jurisdiction. Other personalities have been appointed to other military courts in the country.
The military court of Yaoundé has a new government commissioner. Lieutenant Colonel Éric Atemengue Omgba replaces Lieutenant Colonel Cerlin Belinga, who was appointed vice-president of the military court of Maroua and investigating judge at the said court. In the exercise of his duties, the new government commissioner will be assisted by Lieutenant Colonel Brice Josué Onana, appointed deputy government commissioner at the military court of Yaoundé.
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After serving within the jurisdiction to ensure the application of the law in the case related to the assassination of the head of the Amplitude FM radio station Martinez Zogo in Yaoundé, Cerlin Belinga is moving on to continue his mission in the Far North region. Should this assignment be seen as a sanction? At first glance, the change of jurisdiction and city would suggest a certain sanction whose reason remains hidden within the justice administration. However, it is more evident to note that the presidential decree of August 31, 2026, rather increases the responsibilities and powers of the former government commissioner. He is simultaneously the second highest authority of the court and an investigating judge.
He leaves the military court of Yaoundé at a time when the trial for the assassination of Martinez Zogo is at the witness hearing stage. His successor, after reviewing the ongoing cases, will likely lead the mission until the resolution of the concerned matters.
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Last Monday’s presidential decree marks a new change within the jurisdiction. Since the outbreak of the Martinez Zogo case, people have succeeded each other in certain positions. At the presidency of the court, Jacques Baudouin Misse Njonè was appointed while the trial is ongoing. He removed Florent Aimé Sikati Kamwo from the investigation file in December 2023 to entrust it to Pierrot Narcisse Nzié. Each time, the court has continued to fulfill its mission. This will be the case with the arrival of the new government commissioner.
The presidential decree also appoints other magistrate officers within the military courts. At the military court of Bamenda, Battalion Chief Mokete Roland Makamba is appointed investigating judge. At the military court of Bertoua, Squadron Chief Yaya Hassan is appointed vice-president and investigating judge. Squadron Chief Mukum Tifuh Immaculate is the new government commissioner at the military court of Evolowa, while Lieutenant Sadam Hamadou is appointed deputy government commissioner at the military court of Garoua.
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