Day: August 10, 2023

Jean Pierre Amougou Belinga has this Wednesday 9 August 2023 been auditioned at the YAounde Military Court. The auditioning which began in the early hours lasted till 5:00pm when Jean Pierre Amougou Belinga was taken back to the Kondengui Central Prison where he has been for several months now.

This came barely days after Reporters Without Borders published new revelations on the Martinez Zogo case – one indicting Amougou as master of the show.

While at the Yaounde Military Court, Magistrate Aimeé Florence Sikati tried bringing out the truth from Belinga surrounding the kidnapping, torture and murder of Martinez Zogo.

Several other persons were also auditioned including Zogo’s wife and several journalists.

Meantime, Zogo’s family has expressed dissatisfaction with the way the case is being handled.

“We are unsatisfied with the way the case is being handled. It is completely slow and we are not in contact with the Judge . We don’t also have any information on how the case is going. What we have noted is that some elements in the case file have disappeared. How come? Do they want to kill the case as they normally do? It hurts a lot. We want that the case accelerates and justice be served to our brother. Those incriminated should be heavily punished for the gruesome killing of Martinez,” Zogo’s sister, Nadege Essala Mbani said firmly.

It should be recalled, it was on March 14, 2023 that Amougou Belinga and others, suspected of orchestrating and executing Martinez Zogo were kept in temporary detention and no verdict has been passed till date.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Three people died in an accident around the Mbanga Tollgate in the Moungo Division of the Littoral region on Thursday 10, August 2023.

All three victims were onboard a Toyota Carina E car that collided with an oncoming truck in the course of overtaking.

Their corpses have been deposited in a mortuary. The vehicle was severely damaged.

This accident happened less than 24 hours after that at Falaise de MBE in Nagaoundere Adamawa region on Wednesday, involving a 70-seater bus of the Touristique inter-urban transport agency that was heading to Garoua, killing at least seven (7) lives, according to the General Manager in a communiqué.

It also occurred a few hours after a heavy-duty truck tumbled on the Pouma-Edea road in the Sanaga Maritime Division of the Littoral region, paralyzing circulation for hours. One died in the accident as the driver and assistant came out with minor injuries.

National roads No. 3, linking Douala and Yaoundé, and No.5, linking Douala and Bafoussam are in their nightmare state.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Eto’o’s lawyer, Elame Bonny Privat said on Thursday August 10, 2023 they may consider legal action against CAF for a communique that seemed to tarnish his reputation.

In a release, the defense team of the former Indomitable Lions’ captain, says “this CAF’s hasty position is a surprise given that it already talks of serious first glance allegations knowing that till date, Eto’o Fils has not been notified of any accusations levied against him” quotes the release.

“All in reserving the right of engaging judicial procedures to denounce CAF’s outing at the right moment, my client calls on football stakeholders in Cameroon to remain calm and reassures them of his determination to continue the football reformation plans he began on December 11 2021” Further reads the release from Eto’o’ defense team.

CAF had stated in Wednesday’s outing that they received written statements from several Cameroonian football stakeholders to look into and investigate certain alleged improper conduct by Mr. Samuel Eto’o but said it will not comment on the matter until findings have been concluded.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Most Internally displaced women and girls in Babadjou Subdivision now know how to carry on first aid services on persons in danger and can manage fire outbreaks in their homes.

Some of them were drilled during a 3-day training workshop on self protection, psychological and physical first aid and disaster risk reduction at the Babadjou municipal council premises.

The workshop that rounded up on Thursday August 10, 2023, was organized by the Non Governmental Organization, United Youths Organization and was part of the Capacity Building of Women and Girls, IDPs hosted in the West Region ” launched some months ago in Babadjou and Dschang Subdivisions.

The 3-day training was carried out by professionals of the fire fighting brigade led by Senior Warrant Officer, Tankou Paul

” The workshop was in line to build their capacity to face disasters, save lives persons with first aid techniques and be able to master fire outbreaks in their houses. You know most women when for example a gaz bottle goes in flames in their homes, they run away trying to call neighbors, not knowing that they can quench it with their fingers” Tankou Paul said in an interview.

At the end of the training, participants expressed satisfaction for what they’ve learned and how it will help them save lives.

“I learnt so many things that will help me teach people around me especially the women group that I came to represent so that we can change the mentalities of people around us towards risk reduction. Whenever there are accidents, we turn to shy away. Now I have the courage to first of all avoid the risk of another accident, save the victim with first aid and call on competent authorities. I can also take care of my own household especially if the gas bottle goes in flames, I can master it. ” Mme Ayah Seraphine, told us.

They also promised to dish out the lessons in their communities.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

For more than 40 years, the population of Bamendzi, a district of Bafoussam have had difficulty crossing the Tapentchué stream due to the absence of a bridge. This area, which is one of the risk areas of the Mifi department, has already led to the death of several people.

Frequent landslides, difficulties in crossing to the other side. The bed of the river is estimated at 6 meters wide. As a result, local residents cross this watercourse with great difficulty and sometimes you have to be athletic to do so. Such are the difficulties faced at the two banks all along the Tapetchué stream.

“The first difficulty is that, to cross is not certain, its either you skip to cross the bridge or go round when it is raining. If there was a bridge here, we will pass with much ease without having to be falling into the running water. There are many children here and people living here, it is not safe for us,”. Christian Tewa, a resident of the area said.

A river that has already carried away several people. The latest are two internally displaced children aged 8 and 9. Hence the cries of the hearts of the populations on the need for the state to build a bridge over this running water.

Another resident Jean Mouyeicho stated that; “This water has killed a lot of people here, for example, when it rains heavily here, and someone is trying to cross, the runoff carries the person away, and at times the population is not even aware of the incident. Last week, two children wanted to go and wash their cloths and the water carried them away, it is just three days ago that the last corpse was discovered,”.

He further explained that; “When I just came here, we had no problem because the water was very small, it has grown so big and causing so much problem and panic to the population living here. Many children leave from one side to another to go to school, some to wash dresses and even when someone is sick, to cross the person is a problem, we really need the bridge,”.

With the return of the rains, the inhabitants are hoping on the local authorities to rescue the situation.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Mr Sunday Abdu, Executive Secretary, Plateau State Emergency Management (SEMA) has assured the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state that government is working towards addressing their needs.

Abdu who gave the assurance on Thursday when he visited the IDP camp in Mangu, Mangu Local Government of Plateau, urged them to be of good behaviour as they wait for the interventions.

The executive secretary told the IDPs that government was doing everything within its powers to nip in the bud, the problems that brought them to their current predicament.

“I want to tell you that this predicament will not last long and I encourage you to be appreciate government, private organisations and individuals for what they have done so far to assist you.

“Government is aware of your challenges and our coming here is to further assess your situation and see what we can do to reduce your sufferings.

“Please be patient, government is working tirelessly to meet your needs and that will be done very soon.

“While you’re here, please stay in peace devoid of any rancour and desist from any acts that are contrary to our norms as Plateau people. Desit from illicit activities like drugs, sex, theft and all what not.

“Be rest assured that government is working hard to address what has caused this disaffection and confusion in our land,’’ he stated.

Mr Artu Markus, Management Committee Chairman of Mangu Local Government commended SEMA for the role it is playing since the beginning of the unfortunate incident.

Markus assured the people that government is working closely with security agencies, community leaders and relevant groups to ensure that normalcy is restored so that the people would return to their communities.

Mr Markus Gomwesh, Financial Secretary, Mwaghavul Development Association, thanked the state government and promised to pay the medical bills of the IDPs.

“We also thank government for tilling the lands where the crops were mowed by the invaders who want our people to die of starvation.

“We were thinking that the possibility of this people returning to their ancestral homes would be a very big challenge but seeing the tractors recultivating the destroyed farms we have hope,” he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria