Africa
Court jails Inspector General of Police to six months
Court jails Inspector General of Police to six months
In a dramatic turn of events, Kenya’s acting Inspector-General of Police, Gilbert Masengeli, has been sentenced to six months in prison for brazenly defying court orders.
The High Court in Nairobi handed down the ruling after Masengeli repeatedly failed to provide crucial testimony regarding the disappearance of three men, allegedly abducted by police officers.
The police chief’s refusal to cooperate with the court has stirred outrage, with many questioning the lengths the authorities will go to cover up the abductions.
The three missing individuals were vocal supporters of the mass anti-government protests that rocked Kenya in June and July, leading human rights activists to accuse state agents of orchestrating a series of abductions aimed at silencing dissent.
Despite President William Ruto’s public promises to investigate the claims, Masengeli’s blatant disregard for the court’s authority has cast a shadow over the government’s stance.
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The Law Society of Kenya, which brought the lawsuit, is demanding the safe return of the missing men, who have not been seen since August.
Judge Lawrence Mugambi, frustrated by Masengeli’s repeated absences in court, had given the police boss no fewer than seven opportunities to appear and explain the whereabouts of the missing men.
With his patience exhausted, the judge issued the jail sentence but suspended it for seven days, offering Masengeli one final chance to comply or face prison.
“If he fails to present himself to the Commissioner General of Prisons, the minister of interior must take all necessary legal steps to ensure Masengeli is incarcerated,” declared Judge Mugambi.
The defiant police chief, through his legal team, is now scrambling to have the contempt ruling overturned, claiming efforts to locate the three men are still ongoing. However, with mounting pressure from activists and the public, Masengeli’s time may be running out.
The police department, led by spokesperson Resila Onyango, has remained tight-lipped on the scandal, fueling further speculation and outrage.
Court jails Inspector General of Police to six months
Africa
Boyfriend of murdered Kenyan journalist arrested
Boyfriend of murdered Kenyan journalist arrested
Africa
Baltasar Engonga: I dated him for four years, lady says, sues for betrayal
Baltasar Engonga: I dated him for four years, lady says, sues for betrayal
Cristel Nchama, one of the women appearing in viral explicit videos allegedly involving Baltasar Engonga, the former director-general of Equatorial Guinea’s National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), has filed a formal complaint with the National Gendarmerie in Malabo.
Engonga has been the focus of intense public scrutiny after investigators, probing allegations of fraud, searched his home and office and reportedly uncovered approximately 400 explicit videos featuring him with multiple women.
The tapes allegedly show Baltasar Engonga with his brother’s wife, his cousin, the sister of the country’s president, the wife of the director-general of police, and around 20 wives of ministers, among others.
The recordings, which have since gone viral, are said to have taken place in Engonga’s office, hotels, and bathrooms, purportedly with the consent of those involved.
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In her complaint, Nchama disclosed that she had been in a four-year relationship with Engonga and expressed profound distress over the public leak of the videos, which she says has harmed her reputation.
Nchama claimed that Engonga “misled” her into trusting him and that she had initially resisted being filmed, under the impression that any recordings would be deleted.
She also claimed to have been “betrayed” by Bello for publishing the videos.
“I am humiliated,” she stated. “It is my reputation, my honour. I want to know where these images came from and why he kept the images.”
In addition to filing her complaint, Nchama has demanded reparations from Engonga for the damage caused to her reputation and personal dignity.
Following the scandal, the government dismissed Engonga from his position at ANIF on Thursday.
Officials also announced the suspension of various public officials allegedly involved in sexual activities within government offices.
Baltasar Engonga: I dated him for four years, lady says, sues for betrayal
Africa
Baltasar Engonga: Equatorial Guinea appoints new anti-graft agency boss
Baltasar Engonga: Equatorial Guinea appoints new anti-graft agency boss
Equatorial Guinea’s President, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, has appointed Zenón Obiang Obiang Avomo as the new Director General of the National Agency for Financial Investigation (ANIF), succeeding Baltasar Ebang Engonga, who was removed amid sex scandal.
Recall that Engonga was dismissed following accusations of “irregularities committed in the exercise of his functions,” along with inappropriate family and social behavior unfit for public office, as stated in Decree No. 118/2024, dated November 4.
The investigation uncovered over 400 video recordings in Engonga’s office, reportedly involving the wives and relatives of high-ranking officials, including ministers and police officers.
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The shocking discovery triggered widespread public outrage and prompted swift action by the government.
In response, the Equatorial Guinean government has mandated the installation of surveillance cameras across all state offices, aiming to monitor officials’ conduct and deter future misconduct.
Zenón Obiang Obiang Avomo, who steps into the role at ANIF is a graduate of the National University of Equatorial Guinea, Avomo and has held key positions, including Magistrate Judge in Malabo, Director General of Contract Studies and State Markets at the Ministry of Finance, and Secretary General for both the Ministry of Finance, Economy and Planning, and the Ministry of Mines, Industry, and Energy.
Baltasar Engonga: Equatorial Guinea appoints new anti-graft agency boss
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