In a significant judicial development in Cameroun, the traditional ruler of Baloum and eight other suspects have been formally charged and placed in custody at the Dschang central prison regarding a double murder in the West Region.
Progress has been made in the investigation into the horrific deaths of two young men who were burned alive in Baloum. On Thursday, June 25, the Chief of Baloum and eight co-defendants were indicted and subsequently transferred to the Dschang central prison. Legal representatives for the family of Steve Diffo have confirmed that the group faces serious charges, including assassination, torture, complicity in these acts, and the failure to present national identity cards. “No human being, regardless of any legal judgment, should ever be subjected to such a fate,” stated the family’s lawyer.
The tragedy involves Bostel Kemta and his companion Steve Achille Diffo Sijamo. Both men, in their thirties, were reportedly detained, tortured, and set on fire on June 5 in Baloum. The acts were allegedly carried out by a segment of the local population while the village chief, Charles Constant Pokam Noussi, looked on. After being linked to the incident, the traditional leader surrendered himself to the authorities on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
Two separate legal complaints have been initiated by the victims’ families. The first was filed at the gendarmerie brigade in Penka-Miche, which serves as the administrative center for the district where Baloum is located. A second complaint was submitted directly to the public prosecutor, who expressed profound surprise at the gravity of the events and the fact that such a serious matter had not been brought to his attention sooner.