Intriguing Shift: Lieutenant Colonel Nzié Assumes Key Role in High-Profile Martinez Zogo Case

Appointed by a decree from President Paul Biya on Wednesday, December 13, Pierrot Narcisse Nzié, known for his involvement in the Ahmed Abba case, is entrusted with the paramount task of leading the investigation into the murder of Martinez Zogo.

Sikati II Kamwo is no longer overseeing the investigations in the Martinez Zogo case. He has indeed been divested and replaced, as per a decree from President Paul Biya, released on Wednesday, December 13, at 5 p.m., by Lieutenant Colonel Pierrot Narcisse Nzié. The latter will concurrently hold the position of vice-president of the military jurisdiction alongside his newfound responsibility. But what is the unique role of this magistrate?
The decree remains ambiguous about whether Aimé Florent Sikati Kamwo II has been divested of the Martinez Zogo case. It appoints another individual but in the same capacity as him. Now, clarity is imperative. However, conventional wisdom suggests that where there's smoke, there's fire. In other words, such appointments are not made randomly. Surely, there are underlying echoes of the Zogo case. As astute observers, we assume it's to replace Sikati. One can be appointed, but replacing him would be surprising. I believe it's for his replacement."

"Lieutenant Colonel Magistrate Pierrot Narcisse Nzié may be brought in as an additional investigating judge, but the decree is not clear on this matter. It is within the organization that the President of the Tribunal will determine this. However, I believe that to divest him, an official act must be taken. The President of the Tribunal will handle it. It's not for the decree to state that he is divested. It seems more like political undertones. According to norms, the President of the Military Tribunal who assigns a case to a judge can replace him."

"In principle, there should be a formal act transferring the case. This is only if Sikati is still an investigating judge at the Military Tribunal. He can be replaced by this gentleman. But we have not received any information about that. He has not been removed from this Tribunal. So, he remains an investigating judge."

"Depending on the nature and gravity, two investigating judges can be assigned to the same case. They can jointly handle an investigation, as is often said. However, the fundamental principle is that one investigating judge leads the case."