UNCLAS COTONOU 000127

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/W ACOOK
LONDON FOR PETER LORD
PARIS FOR BKANEDA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL BN ASEC PINR
SUBJECT: BENIN: GOB SETS UP INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTEE TO LOOK INTO
PUZEY'S MURDER


1. (U). The Beninese Ministry of National Defense sent Post a copy
of the Management Notice it had issued to set up an investigative
committee to look into Puzey's March 11 murder.


2. (U). Post is transmitting the unofficial English translation of
the Management Notice.


3. (U). BEGIN TRANSLATION:
Ref No. BRQ No 332/2-BRQ-GRN-PKOU of March 12 2009

In the night of March 11, 2009, an American citizen was brutally
murdered by unknown individuals in the suburb of Talinta, in the
arrondissement of Badjoudh, commune of Ouak. Given the severity of
this crime, Criminal Identification experts from the Judicial Police
Training Center were called on to carry out forensic investigation
on the crime scene.

The Beninese Gendarmerie admits that it should do everything in its
capacity to arrest the criminals.

In this regard, it has set up an Investigative Committee made up of
the following members:
President: LTC Garba Yacouba, Commander of the Northern Region
Gendarmerie Squad
Rapporteur: Lieutenant Anato Pacome, Commander of the Djougou
Gendarmerie Squad

Members:

Chief Warrant Officer Orou Merou Awessou, Service Number 3618,
Commander of Ouake's Territorial Brigade;
Warrant Officer Sodogandji Norbert, Service Number 3739, Commander
of the Djougou Criminal Investigation Brigade;
Warrant Officer Akouehou Anselme, Service Number 3964, Criminal
Identification Technician at the Judicial Police Training Center,
Porto-Novo;
Sergeant Soualy Martial, Service Number 5367, Criminal
Identification Technician at the Judicial Police Training Center,
Porto-Novo;
Private Gendarme Yabi Rodrigue, Service Number, Computer Scientist
at the Territorial Brigade of Djougou.

Mission: The mission of the committee is:

To conduct adequate investigations in order to arrest the alleged
murder(s) of Mrs. Puzey Catherine, English Teacher at the High
School of Dompago
To call on every individual who is likely to help shed light on the
crime.

The Committee will present its findings as soon as possible.

This Management Notice becomes effective as of its date of
signature

/Signed/
Brigadier General Semegan L. Cocou
Director General of the National Gendarmerie

END TRANSLATION

BROWN