Cameroon: The Cameroon Journalists’ Trade Union (CJTU) has taken disciplinary action against journalist Junior Abena for his alleged involvement in the network of sexual predators allegedly operated by Douala-based businessman Herve Bopda.
Reportedly, the CJTU’s Regional Executive Office of the Littoral issued a statement on Jan 30, 2024, and disclosed that Junior Abena, who is the brother of one of Bopda’s associates, Xavier Abena, has alleged to intimidate victims of Bopda’s alleged predatory actions.
As per the sources, the Herve Bopda case gained huge attention on social media, with numerous testimonies exposing the businessman’s purported predatory behaviour and his alleged connections to various Cameroonian government authorities.
CJTU made a statement that whistleblower N’Zui Manto made a social media publication accusing Journalist Junior Abena of intimidating victims and certain women involved in the Bopda affair.
In his publication, Manto asserted that Abena is the older brother of Xavier Abena and is known as Herve Bopda’s right-hand man.
Considering the accusations and the inability to reach Junior Abena for his side of the story, CJTU has taken a precautionary measure and suspended him from “all forums and activities of the CJTU, while waiting for all the light to be shed on this scabrous affair.”
According to the reported testimonies, Xavier Abena played a role in facilitating Herve Bopda’s alleged actions, involving luring of young girls to his residence for subsequent sexual abuse and assault.
Notably, the Herve Bopda affair was brought to the fore by N’Zui Manto, who made startling revelations about a network of sexual predators which Bopda allegedly operates.
Manto also mentioned that he had obtained testimonies from over 100 women and young girls who claimed they were raped, kidnapped and molested by Bopda and his men.
Herve Bopda’s case has led to national and international outcry, with calls for justice echoing from various quarters, including the Cameroonian Government through the Ministry of Women Empowerment and the Family.
The case raged when Bopda was arrested on Wednesday morning on Jan 31, 2024, responding to mounting pressure and public outrage.
However, several other individuals implicated in the case, which included Junior Abena’s brother Xavier Abena have been hidden since Bopda’s arrest, which deepened the intrigue surrounding the scandal.