Equatorial Guinea Official Baltasar Engonga Bags 8-Year Jail Term

A court in Equatorial Guinea has sentenced Baltasar Ebang Engonga, a former senior government official, to eight years in prison for embezzlement. Engonga became famous after sextapes involving him and several women leaked online. According to Hilario Mitogo, press director of the Supreme Court, the Bioko provincial tribunal found Engonga guilty of diverting funds meant for professional travel expenses for personal use. He was also fined $220,000. Engonga, a former head of the national financial investigation agency, was tried alongside five other senior officials accused of misappropriating hundreds of thousands of dollars in public funds. The case follows his detention in November, when videos of him with women, including the spouses of other officials, surfaced on social media while investigations into the embezzlement charges were ongoing.

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Court Adjourns Arraignment in Forgery, Mutiny Case Against Omoyele Sowore

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the arraignment of Omoyele Sowore, the convener of the RevolutionNow protest, and the online news platform SaharaReporters to September 15, 2025. The arraignment, which was scheduled for today, was delayed after the prosecuting counsel informed the court that service of the charge had not yet been completed for SaharaReporters. Sowore, who was present in court, is facing a three-count charge of alleged forgery and mutiny before Justice Emeka Nwite. The prosecution explained that an order for substituted service on SaharaReporters had been obtained and would soon be executed. In response, Sowore’s defense attorney, Marshal Abubakar, raised an objection to the charges, questioning the competency of the allegations. The defense also challenged the jurisdiction of the court, which was noted by Justice Nwite, who stated that he had not yet reviewed the processes filed by the defendants regarding these objections. As a result, the court adjourned the case until September 15 for the formal arraignment. Speaking to reporters following the court proceedings, Sowore alleged that the charges against him were politically motivated, claiming that his prosecution was a result of the protest he led highlighting the poor welfare conditions of retired police officers.

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Tragic Fire on KM Barcelona VA: Passengers Forced to Jump into Sea as Ship Burns Near Talise Island

Tragic Fire on KM Barcelona VA: Passengers Forced to Jump into Sea as Ship Burns Near Talise Island

Tragic Fire on KM Barcelona VA: Passengers Forced to Jump into Sea as Ship Burns Near Talise Island In a harrowing incident off the coast of Indonesia, a fire engulfed the passenger ship KM Barcelona VA, forcing desperate passengers to leap into the sea to escape the flames. A viral video circulating on social media captures the chaotic scene, showing people jumping from the burning vessel into the waters near Talise Island in North Sulawesi Province. The footage, shared via Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMU1G9JskUj/?igsh=MTZzNWJqNWM4Z2UzbQ%3D%3D), highlights the severity of the crisis as thick smoke billows from the ship.The national search and rescue agency swiftly mobilized to evacuate passengers from the stricken vessel. Authorities are working tirelessly to ensure the safety of those on board, but details about the cause of the fire and the number of casualties or injuries remain scarce at this time. The KM Barcelona VA, a passenger ship operating in the region, was carrying an unknown number of passengers when the blaze broke out. This tragic event underscores the dangers of maritime travel in areas where safety regulations and emergency preparedness can sometimes fall short. As rescue operations continue, the focus remains on saving lives and investigating the circumstances that led to this disaster. Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, and their families as they navigate this terrifying ordeal. Stay tuned for updates as more information becomes available about the KM Barcelona VA incident and the ongoing rescue efforts.

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Abians Celebrate Wrestling Icon Osita ‘Ultimate Commander’ Offor on His Birthday

By Kamal Yalwa: Abia State, Nigeria – August 26, 2025 Celebrations are underway in Abia State and among fans around the world as Ambassador Dr. Osita Offor, better known by his wrestling moniker “Ultimate Commander,” marks his birthday. A former undefeated world wrestling champion, Offor brought global attention to Nigeria through his accomplishments in the ring, earning a reputation as one of the nation’s most successful sporting exports. His career saw him carry Nigeria’s flag proudly on international stages, making a name for himself with strength, skill, and resilience. Outside the world of wrestling, Offor has continued to make a lasting impact as a philanthropist, peace advocate, and youth mentor. In 2023, he was honored as RAPID Personality of the Year in recognition of his discipline, humility, and service to humanity. His accolades also include numerous national and international awards for contributions to sports development, youth empowerment, and community service. Widely admired across Abia State, Offor remains a source of inspiration to many. His journey from humble beginnings to global stardom and social impact has made him a beloved figure among youth and sports enthusiasts alike. On his birthday, friends, family, and well-wishers flooded social media and local gatherings with tributes, describing him as a “champion in and out of the ring” and a true trailblazer whose legacy continues to grow.

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Gov. Uzodinma Increases Minimum Wage to N104,000, Doctors’ Salaries Raised to N582,000

By Kamal Yalwa: Owerri, Nigeria – August 27, 2025 Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has announced a major wage increase for state civil servants, raising the minimum wage to N104,000 per month. The announcement was made during a meeting with labour union representatives at the Government House in Owerri. In a related development, the governor also revealed that the monthly salary for medical doctors in the state civil service has been reviewed upward to N582,000. Governor Uzodimma attributed the pay raise to improved state finances, citing a boost in internally generated revenue and increased federal allocations. According to him, the revised wage structure is designed to stimulate the local economy, improve the standard of living for workers, and enhance productivity across the public sector. “This is a new era for Imo workers,” Uzodimma said. “We are committed to ensuring that our workforce is well-compensated and motivated.” The announcement comes amid national discussions on wage reforms, with various labour unions pushing back against proposed salary adjustments for political office holders.

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Multiple Premier League and European Clubs Show Interest in Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is attracting interest from several clubs across the Premier League and Europe, according to Sky Sports News sources. Despite the external attention, United are understood to have no intention of offloading the 20-year-old, who remains a key part of their long-term plans. Club officials are said to be happy with Mainoo’s development and performances. So far, Mainoo has not expressed a desire to leave Old Trafford. However, other sources have suggested the England international may be open to a potential move, depending on his role in the squad this season. Mainoo has been an unused substitute in both of United’s opening Premier League matches. Manager Ruben Amorim recently commented that the young midfielder is currently competing with club captain Bruno Fernandes for a place in the starting XI. The situation is expected to develop further in the coming days, with the transfer window entering its final stretch.

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NNPCL CEO Bayo Ojulari Advocates Regional Defence Collaboration at African Security Summit

Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), Bashir Bayo Ojulari, has called for strengthened regional defence cooperation to protect Africa’s natural resources and ensure shared economic growth across the continent. Ojulari made the remarks on Tuesday while delivering a goodwill message at the 2025 African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit, held in Abuja. The summit, themed “Combating Contemporary Threats to Regional Peace and Security in Africa: The Role of Strategic Defence Collaboration,” brought together defence leaders from across Africa, as well as top government officials. Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, delivered the keynote address as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. In his remarks, Ojulari highlighted the success of NNPC Ltd.’s efforts to combat crude oil theft through strategic partnerships with security and intelligence agencies. He noted that such cooperation has significantly improved pipeline availability, reaching near 100% in some regions. “NNPC Ltd. remains committed to working with military and intelligence agencies in Nigeria and looks forward to broader frameworks from this summit to support Africa’s energy security and prosperity,” Ojulari said. He emphasized that cross-border defence collaboration is crucial for safeguarding Africa’s energy infrastructure and maintaining economic stability in the face of evolving security threats. The summit comes at a time when many African nations are grappling with transnational security challenges, including oil theft, insurgency, piracy, and illegal resource exploitation.

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INEC Partners with Kebbi State Ministry of Information to Boost Voter Registration Awareness

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kebbi State is seeking greater collaboration with the State Ministry of Information to enhance public awareness and participation in the ongoing voter registration exercise. Resident Electoral Commissioner, Abubakar Sarkin Pawa Dambo, made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Yakubu Ahmed, in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday. Dambo emphasized that INEC had commenced a continuous voter registration process, beginning with the online phase. He noted that individuals who have lost or damaged their voter cards, changed residential locations, or relocated to another state can now update their information online, as their previous records are already in the commission’s system. In response, Commissioner Yakubu Ahmed reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting INEC’s efforts. He stated that the Ministry has a duty to work in tandem with the electoral body to ensure widespread awareness and participation in the exercise. Ahmed further revealed that the Kebbi State Governor has directed all Commissioners to return to their local government areas to mobilize communities for the voter registration campaign. In line with this directive, both state-owned and private broadcast media have been instructed—through their General Managers—to allocate airtime for INEC’s public enlightenment initiatives. The collaboration is expected to significantly boost voter registration turnout ahead of upcoming electoral exercises.

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