A court in Equatorial Guinea has sentenced Baltasar Ebang Engonga, a senior government official, to eight years in prison for embezzlement, following months of notoriety over leaked sex tapes involving him and the wives of other officials.

According to the country’s supreme court press office, the Bioko provincial tribunal found Engonga guilty of diverting public funds by claiming false professional travel expenses. The funds, worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, were instead used for personal benefit.

Engonga, widely known by his nickname “Bello”, was formerly head of the national financial investigation agency. He and five other senior officials faced charges of embezzling large sums in the oil-rich Central African nation.

In November 2024, Engonga made international headlines after sex tapes — some reportedly recorded in his finance ministry office — surfaced on social media while he was already in detention. The scandal sparked widespread online parody, including satirical songs, dances, and memes referencing a spoof virility drug dubbed “Balthazariem.”

The court also imposed a fine of $220,000 in addition to his prison sentence.

Nigeria’s non-oil exports reached $3.225 billion in the first half of 2025, reflecting a 19.59% growth from $2.696 billion in the same period of 2024, according to the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

The NEPC Director-General, Nonye Ayeni, announced this in Abuja on Sunday while presenting the H1 2025 Non-Oil Export Performance Report.

She stated that export volumes rose to 4.04 million metric tonnes in H1 2025, compared to 3.83 million metric tonnes during the same period last year.

Ayeni recalled that Q1 2025 exports alone were valued at $1.791 billion, representing a 24.75% increase from $1.436 billion in Q1 2024, while volumes grew by 24.3% to 2.416 million metric tonnes.

She revealed that Nigeria exported 236 different products in the first half of the year, representing a 16.83% increase from the 202 products exported in H1 2024.

The exports consisted of agricultural commodities, extractive industry products, manufactured goods, and semi-processed items. Ayeni observed that non-oil exports are shifting from traditional agricultural goods towards higher-value semi-manufactured products.

Based on data from Pre-shipment Inspection Agents (PIAs), cocoa beans ranked first among the top 20 products exported in the first half of 2025, accounting for 34.88% of the total export value compared to 23.18% in 2024.

Urea/fertiliser followed in second place with 17.65%, up from 13.78% in the same period of 2024.

Ayeni attributed part of the growth to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which she said has expanded market access and lowered tariffs for Nigerian exporters.

She also pointed to NEPC’s intervention programmes — covering quality, standards, packaging, export documentation, and certifications — as vital to supporting export expansion.

According to her, rising demand from emerging markets such as India, Brazil, Vietnam, and various African countries has also contributed to the increase in non-oil exports.

She noted that the rise in value-added exports has enhanced earnings as more Nigerian exporters adopt product transformation before shipment.

Ayeni restated NEPC’s dedication to working with the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, along with other stakeholders, to further grow export value and volume in line with the President Bola Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the ministry’s policy objectives.

Credit: Nairametrics

Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Addresses Incident at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to formally address the incident that occurred on Monday, 5th August 2025, at the domestic terminal of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The incident involved a notable Nigerian musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (also known as K1 De Ultimate), and a pilot of ValueJet Airlines.

Preliminary investigations confirmed that the passenger was scheduled to board the morning flight to Lagos operated by ValueJet Airlines (Flight VK 201). During boarding, the passenger attempted to carry an unidentified liquid substance on board despite repeated warnings from Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel and the Flight Captain.

In accordance with international aviation security standards—specifically, Nigeria’s National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP) and ICAO Annex 17—liquids exceeding 100ml are not permitted through security screening unless medically necessary and properly declared. The passenger was informed of this regulation but reportedly declined to comply.

As boarding continued, an airline security officer asked the passenger to step aside for further clarification. The passenger allegedly refused and spilled the contents of the flask on the officer, which turned out to be alcohol. The Flight Captain intervened but faced similar resistance. After confirming that boarding was complete, she instructed the closure of the aircraft door.

At this juncture, the passenger moved to the front of the aircraft and refused to leave the area despite repeated requests. He was ultimately escorted away by AVSEC crime unit for further investigation, after which he was released.

FAAN reiterates its unwavering commitment to the safety and security of all passengers, crew, and airport personnel. The Authority will not tolerate any actions that compromise operational integrity or undermine aviation safety standards, regardless of the individuals involved.

This matter remains under thorough investigation, and all parties found culpable will be held accountable according to the law.

FAAN is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, safety, and regulatory compliance across all Nigerian airports.