The Director General, National Financial Investigation Agency in Equatorial Guinea, Baltasar Engonga, has been arrested for allegedly recording over 400 sextapes of the wives of notable people in the country.

The scandal emerged in the course of a fraud investigation against the 54-year-old Economist which resulted in the search of his house and office on impromptu notice by ANIF officials who came across several CDs that later revealed his sexcapades with different married women.

The videos reportedly include encounters with high-profile individuals, such as his brother’s wife, his cousin, the sister of the President of Equatorial Guinea, the Director General of Police’s wife, and about 20 of the country’s ministers’ wives, among others.

The footage, discovered in his personal office, was said to have been recorded with consent and has since been leaked online, causing a media uproar.

In a report by a local media platform, Ahora EG, since last October, Engonga has been involved in a sexual scandal unprecedented in the history of Equatorial Guinea.

The former ANIF DG better known as “Bello” had sexual relations with several women, some of them married, and filmed these intimate encounters.

The report read, “The most striking thing is that some scenes took place in his work office, including moments in which he is seen sleeping with a woman next to the National Flag. Based on this sexual scandal, the Executive has stated that the measure is a direct response to the acts that have affected the image of the country.

“With these new measures, the Government hopes to establish a clear precedent on the expected conduct of public officials in order to create a more respectful work environment in the public and private administration of Equatorial Guinea. For days now, erotic videos have been circulating on social media featuring Baltasar EBANG ENGONGA, better known as “Bello”, who is currently the Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF) and is currently imprisoned for alleged corruption issues.

“Baltasar EBANG ENGONGA is said to have filmed these scenes with the consent of the women themselves, which exonerates him from a possible crime of violation of integrity. In the videos, he is seen having unprotected sex with several women, including those married to powerful and well-known people in the country, but also with the most “diva and influential” single women in Equatorial Guinea. Some scenes take place in hotel rooms, houses, even in the protagonist’s office at the Ministry of Finance,” it added.

However, speaking on the viral sextapes, the Attorney General of the country, Nzang Nguema, has stressed that, although the images suggest that the women involved were not forced to participate, the law does not consider consensual sexual relations to be a crime, unless coercion or violence is proven. This highlights the importance of victims reporting situations of sexual abuse or assault.

Nguema also emphasised that the risk is not only for the women involved but also for their partners and the wider community, adding, “The possibility of a contagious disease being spread through these sexual interactions makes the situation even more critical.

He further pointed out that the onus is on victims to come forward in cases of rape or assault, highlighting the need for an environment where people feel safe and supported to report such incidents.

Reacting to the development on Monday, Equatorial Guinea has decided to take action by immediately suspending all officials who have had sexual relations in the offices of the country’s ministries.

The government claimed that the decision was part of its “zero tolerance” policy towards behaviour that compromises the integrity of the public service.

The Vice President of the Republic, Nguema Mangue, has pointed out that these behaviours constitute a flagrant violation of the Code of Conduct and the Public Ethics Law.

In his publication on X, he emphasized that “ethics and respect are fundamental in our Administration,” and that irresponsible attitudes that put citizen trust at risk will not be allowed.

President Bola Tinubu on Monday announced that Nigeria’s debt service-to-revenue ratio has decreased from approximately 97 per cent when he assumed office 17 months ago to 65 per cent currently.

Tinubu stated that his administration has managed to keep the country afloat despite inheriting an economy on the brink of bankruptcy.

The President stated while swearing in seven new ministers at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.

He said, “For us, it was a challenge when the nation was servicing its debt with 97 per cent of its revenue. It was nothing but the edge of the cliff.

“But today, I can report to you that we have brought that down to 65 per cent, and we have never defaulted in meeting all obligations, both foreign and domestic.

“We have our head above water. All other countries around us and across the world are also facing challenges.”

His comments follow Afreximbank’s recent prediction that Nigeria’s debt service-to-revenue ratio could reach 110.4 per cent in 2024.

“The debt service-to-revenue ratio has increased significantly, from 33.8% in 2017 to a projected 110.4% in 2024, signalling potential difficulties in meeting debt servicing obligations relative to revenue generation,” Afreximbank said in its ‘Nigeria Country Brief 2024’ report in July.

This brief analysed Nigeria’s economic performance, trade dynamics, fiscal policies, and financial sector developments.

It showed that Nigeria’s debt servicing bill consumed 66.9 per cent (₦5.79tn) of the total revenue of ₦8.65tn in the first nine months of 2023, compared to 99.3 per cent (₦4.23tn) in the same period of 2022.

However, Afreximbank suggested that the ratio could drop to 62.6 per cent by 2025 with continued structural reforms and fiscal management by the government.

Tinubu expressed optimism about economic recovery, stating that the country is on a “good path” despite the cost-of-living crisis sparked by months of strict economic reforms.

The President said, “We have taken the bull by the horns. We have stopped the scavengers. We will fully put an end to the profiteers and smugglers of our resources across the country.

“We are not shirking our responsibility; we are confronting it head-on.

“Economic recovery is on the horizon. We are on a good path to realise our dreams, not just for us, but for our children and grandchildren.”
He added, “Despite the challenges, we must undertake the job of re-engineering and retooling this country’s economic path.

“Yes, the cost of living has risen. I acknowledge that. We have fulfilled our obligation of paying a new minimum wage across the board…we are navigating through this and working diligently.”

The new cabinet members took their oaths in two batches—first in groups of four and then of three—after their citations were read by the State House Director of Information, Mr Abiodun Oladunjoye.

The first group included Idi Maiha (Minister of Livestock Development), Yusuf Ata (State, Housing and Urban Development), Dr Suwaiba Ahmad (State, Education), and Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu (State, Foreign Affairs).

Afterward, Dr Jumoke Oduwole (Industry, Trade and Investment), Dr Nentawe Yilwatda (Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction), and Muhammadu Dingyadi (Minister of Labour & Employment) took their oaths before the President.

In a significant cabinet reshuffle on October 23, Tinubu re-assigned 10 ministers to new portfolios, discharged five others, and nominated seven new ministers for confirmation by the Senate.

The United Kingdom is set to see its first increase in university tuition fees in eight years, according to a report by The Telegraph on Monday.

The move, expected to come into “effect from September 2025, will impact current A-level students applying for university entry.”

The administration under Prime Minister Keir Starmer is poised to approve this increase, which will be announced by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson.

This adjustment will align tuition fees with the Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation.

Tuition fees have been frozen at £9,250 since 2017, the agency reported.
While it remains uncertain which specific inflation figures the Labour government will use, matching the current rate of 2.7% would see fees rise to approximately £9,500 next year.

Past reports have indicated that fees could increase to £10,500 over the next five years.

However, The Telegraph notes that ministers are cautious about committing to further increases beyond the next academic year as they deliberate on a comprehensive reform of the system.

The anticipated fee increase is a response to mounting financial challenges within universities.

Currently, 40 per cent of English universities anticipate running a deficit this year.

The Coalition government last raised tuition fees in 2012, tripling them to £9,000, and subsequently increasing them to £9,250 in 2017. Despite significant inflation since then, fees have remained static.

The Russell Group of leading universities has argued that the current tuition cap results in a financial loss of approximately £4,000 per domestic student.

Additionally, university finances have been strained due to a notable decrease in international student numbers following the Conservative Party’s restrictions on dependent visas.

Home Office data highlighted “a 16 per cent drop in visa applications between July and September compared to the same period in 2023.”

Since international students often pay three to four times the tuition of domestic students, their reduced numbers have eliminated a vital source of income for universities, intensifying the call for immediate action.

Financial Times on Monday also reported that the Director of the Higher Education Policy Institute, Nick Hillman, said universities “need a fee rise that is significantly above inflation even to stand still”, adding the sector faces £400 million of extra costs as a result of increases in employers’ national insurance contributions.

“If the announcement is a rise of just 2 to 3 per cent, the worries about financial instability will continue,” he said.

“We also need to know what extra support there will be for students in maintenance support, as they are hurting just as much as institutions.”

Maintenance grants

Insiders have indicated that there was hope for a minor tuition fee increase announcement in the latest budget, underscoring the urgency of the financial situation.

However, Chancellor Rachel Reeves refrained from introducing “new higher education funding during her first budget.”

Reports suggest that significant pressure would accompany any fee increase to also reinstate maintenance grants, a move that could come at a substantial cost to the Treasury.

According to The Telegraph, Labour’s analysis indicated that reinstating maintenance grants at a raised rate of £4,009 could cost as much as £2.3 billion annually.

Announcing the tuition fee increase outside of a major fiscal event could allow the government more time to finalise its broader university funding reform.

Ms Phillipson is expected to position the inflation-linked fee rise as a “first step” toward overhauling the current system, potentially reopening discussions about reintroducing maintenance grants, which were eliminated by the Cameron administration in 2016.

The government is also reportedly considering changes to the tuition fee repayment model due to concerns that growing student debt disproportionately affects graduates from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Ministers have been in discussions with senior university officials over the past few months in response to urgent calls for support.

Chief Executive of Universities UK (UUK), Vivienne Stern, emphasised the need for immediate government action. “Just get on and index-link the fee— this cannot be allowed to continue,” Stern said in an interview with The Telegraph in September, describing it as a “necessary” measure.

She added, “That’s the bare minimum — you know, you can’t go on like this.”

According to UUK’s analysis, had university teaching investments kept pace with inflation, current funding per student would be in the range of £12,000 to £13,000.

As of now, the Department for Education has yet to issue a formal response.

Controversial cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, has confirmed his “temporary” departure from Nigeria, citing the need to attend to his “sanity and health.”

“Yes, I’m here to confirm I’m out of Nigeria temporarily. I need to attend to my sanity and my health,” he wrote in a post on Instagram on Monday.

The crossdresser also expressed disappointment over travel disruptions he had experienced, attributing it to frustrations from local security agencies.

Hence, he called on KLM, the airline involved, to refund two unused tickets, which he said cost N9.8m each.

He added, “Few Nigerian security agencies tried everything to frustrate me, but naaa, I gat God.”

“Imagine buying a business class ticket three times; only one was successful. KLM, I hope you guys refund me the two I didn’t use. I know it’s not your fault, but it’s fine.

“Each business class cost me 9.800,000. I only successfully flew yesterday, 3/11/2024.”

In his post, Bobrisky addressed potential critics, saying, “Before you come to my page to type nonsense, check your account balance if you can afford three business seats, not to talk of buying it three times. Well, I’m not in Nigeria, so your comment means nothing.”

Bobrisky had earlier announced his departure from Nigeria on Monday morning, a few days after he was released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Recall that the embattled cross-dresser was stopped and removed from an Amsterdam-bound KLM flight at Murtala Muhammed International Airport while attempting to travel to London on Thursday night.

He alleged that he sustained injuries during the incident.

Following the altercation, he was taken to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, where he was reportedly questioned regarding claims that he had bribed the officials with N15 million to drop money laundering charges against him.

He was later released on bail after he reportedly denied bribing the EFCC in his confessional statement.

Popular Nigerian music exec, Ubi Franklin has opened up on how he suffered setbacks in his business this year.

In a post shared on his Instastories, Ubi mentioned that he invested more than N89 million into a property he wanted to use in running a business. He said he leased the property from a man, only to find out that the man and his wife jointly owned the building.

Ubi said the woman kicked against his company occupying the building and insisted they vacate it. He said he had already invested N89 million and more into the building and was at a loss without knowing what to do.

He also mentioned that two investors who dropped N10 million each into the business insisted they must get their money back.

Ubi said he finally had to move out of the property into another one but was hit with another issue. He disclosed that after setting the place up, he got a call from his staff one day, informing him that the building they now occupy was being demolished on grounds of encroachment.

He said it's been ‘’one of those kind of years'' for him and that he still believes he will get back all he has lost.

He went on to say that in Nigeria people need to always pray against business mishaps which can come from ‘’the government or from bad staff.''

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Brekete Family, a Human Rights Radio and Television station based in Abuja, has temporarily gone off the air in protest of the detention of minors involved in the recent #EndBadGovernance protest.

An official statement released by the prominent media station on X  on Monday confirmed the partial shutdown.

The statement read, “Human Rights Radio and Television (Brekete Family) shuts down partially in protest of the Nigerian government’s detention of underage children.

“This decision reflects our deep commitment to defending the rights of the vulnerable and holding authorities accountable.

“We call on all well-meaning Nigerians and international bodies to join us in demanding the immediate and unconditional release of these children.

“Until justice is served, we stand firm in solidarity with the voiceless.”

Meanwhile, according to a Daily Trust report on Monday, this move was also announced by Ahmed Isah, the station’s owner, during an appearance on the popular breakfast show, Brekete Family.

 

According to the agency, Isah, known for hosting the weekday programme, was notably absent from the studio on Monday morning. He called in around 8.20 am to share his dismay over the situation.

The agency noted that Isah stated that he was shocked by the condition of the children, who had been arraigned on Friday. Expressing deep frustration, he instructed that the station be shut down as a form of protest.

“Human Rights Radio will remain closed until Tuesday, pending further discussion on the matter,” he said.

He added that it would go off air again until Wednesday when the show would open its lines for public opinions on the issue.

The arrest of the minors has sparked widespread condemnation and increased pressure on President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Last week, images of the detained children circulated online, leading to public outrage.

Nigerians expressed outrage over the arraignment of 76 suspects, including 32 minors, before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Abuja division of the Federal High Court for participating in the #EndBadGovernance protests in August.

Civil society groups and rights activists slammed the police and the government over the matter.

On Saturday, the Nigerian Correctional Service refuted claims that juvenile defendants from the recent #EndBadGovernance protests were detained in adult custodial facilities at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.

Following the arraignment of 76 individuals in connection with the protests, the judge ordered that underage defendants be placed in a borstal facility while adults would be remanded in standard cells until their bail conditions were met.

Meanwhile, there are mixed reactions under the X post, with some commending and others opposing the station’s stance.

Foundational Nigerian with the handle #SureNigerian, wrote, “How does shutting down make sense? You should be using your voice online to draw attention to their plight not shutting down.”

Starleeon, with handle #starleeon_, reacted, “Unless you are working behind the scenes to secure their release, partially shutting down is not the way to go. Use your platform to raise awareness for their unconditional release.”

In another post, Adnan Abdullahi Adam using #realadnantweet, commented, “Tinubu’s govt is doing a horrible job. His government arresting minors fining them to pay 10 million Naira each. At the same time big politicians who are looting people’s money are walking freely.”

For Hausa Tech Guy with the handle #Hausatechguy, he wrote, “The Voice of the Voiceless #Istandwithbrekete”

BILALI with handle #Holyface21, posted, “I think media platforms like this should not be closed in solidarity of the oppressed, rather be used to continually support them.”

…As Uzoka-Anite assumes office as Minister of State Finance

Nigeria’s economy is now at a new dawn of the threshold to attract investments, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun has said.

He spoke this morning while welcoming the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, who assumed office at the ministry, in Abuja, this morning.

Mr. Edun said that the two reforms (removal of fuel subsidy and the market determined foreign exchange rate) had opened the Nigerian economy to investors.

According to the minister, “All will be well as we go forward together to help complete the on-going economic reforms which are showing sustainability and signs of success.

“We do have for the first time in decades, the foreign exchange rate that is market-based.  We do have market pricing of petroleum products.  Those are the two fundamental reforms that were necessary and long over-due that Mr. President had the courage and boldness and dexterity socially and politically to implement and the determination to keep them implemented.

“So we stand on a threshold of a new dawn in terms of the ability of the economy to attract investment thereby increasing productivity, growing the GDP, creating jobs and reducing poverty.”   

He said he and the staff were excited at the posting of Dr. Uzoka-Anite to the ministry as Minister of State.

His words, “They are excited at this opportunity to have a woman of elegance, substance, refinement and diligence and with a known passion for hard-work.  So we thank Mr. President on behalf of the ministry for giving us the Minister of State.  I thank him for giving me a helper.

“I assure you of every support, encouragement and cooperation and let you know we want you to be free to express yourself, contribute and excel.  As the Permanent Secretary of finance has said, we are all one family.

“As President Bola Tinubu has always encouraged us, it’s all about consultation, cooperation, collaboration and team work.  That is the basis of our efforts here together.  And we are sure that you fit in smoothly.  You will be like a duck going to the water.”

In her response, Dr. Uzoka-Anite who was formerly the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, said she was apprehensive at the posting but determined to complement Mr. Edun and make a success of it, in the interest of the economy.

She said, “It’s a big privilege for me to be here to contribute to the development of Nigeria in this particular crucial sector-the finance sector.  I just want to say that I am here to complement the efforts and the jobs that CME has been doing.

“It has been a challenging one year for you CME, especially since May 29 (2023) when the President took over and made that pronouncement.  That was when that responsibility fell on your shoulders to guide and steer this economy towards economic stability and prosperity and also to make sure that the president’s vision and mandate to his people, especially during his campaign manifesto is materialized.

“It’s a no small task that you have been given and coming to work with you, to be honest, I am a bit apprehensive.   I know the amount of work and the pressure that you are under but again it is a privilege.

“I can only promise you sir, I am here to work with you, to support you, to complement your efforts to ensure that we achieve the mandate of his Excellency Mr. President and to uphold the honour and dignity of all Nigerians through your hard work.

“I am happy to be a part of your family and again to complement whatever everybody has been doing and I also look forward to more cooperation, collaboration, team and everything that will make us successful because when we succeed, Nigeria succeeds.”