In Cameroon’s West Region, Superior Chief Baloum and eight co-defendants have been formally charged and transferred to Dschang Central Prison following the brutal murders of two local men.

The developments come in the high-profile case involving the deaths of Bostel Kemta and his friend Steve Achille Diffo Sijamo, both in their thirties, who were allegedly abducted, tortured, and set ablaze on June 5 in Baloum village. The suspects, including village chief Charles Constant Pokam Noussi, are now facing charges that include murder, torture, complicity in murder and torture, and failure to possess national identity cards.

Lawyers representing the Diffo family expressed outrage at the brutality of the crime, stating: “No human being, even one sentenced to death by normative justice, should endure such suffering.”

The tragedy unfolded under the alleged watch of the village chief, who surrendered to authorities on June 17, 2026. Two separate complaints were filed—one with the Penka-Miche gendarmerie brigade, which oversees Baloum village, and another with the Republic prosecutor, who expressed shock over the lack of prior notification about such grave allegations.

Legal proceedings and community impact

The case has sent shockwaves through the community, prompting widespread condemnation and demanding urgent justice. Authorities are under pressure to ensure a thorough investigation and fair trial for the accused, while the victims’ families seek closure and accountability. The formal incarceration of the suspects marks a critical step in the judicial process, as Cameroon’s legal system moves to address this tragic incident with the gravity it demands.