This week’s entertainment trend report is filled with the good, the bad and the ugly. From the sentencing of Equatorial Guinean government official turned notorious social media sex buzz. To a country’s government scrambling to be the wedding destination of Taylor Swift. Join Trickle Media on the entertainment trend coverage of the last week. Enjoy!
Equatorial Guinea Sex Scandal Social Media Buzz Bags Eight Year Sentence for Fraud
A court in Equatorial Guinea has sentenced Baltasar Ebang Engonga to eight years in prison. He is the nephew of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema. His sentencing was on counts of embezzlement of public funds. Engonga formerly headed the National Financial Investigation Agency. He was convicted alongside five other high-ranking government officials. They were tried by the Bioko Provincial Tribunal. The court found that the officials had collectively diverted hundreds of thousands of dollars from the nation’s treasury. This case marks one of the most significant corruption prosecutions in the country in recent memory.
In addition to his prison sentence, Engonga was ordered to pay a fine of $220,000. Three other former directors-general from the Ministry of Finance—Ireneo Mangue Monsuy Afana, Baltasar Ebang Engonga Alú, and Rubén Félix Osá Nzang—received the same eight-year term and were directed to repay millions in stolen funds. Lighter sentences were handed down to three accomplices—Rolando Asumu Ndong Oyé, Carmelo Julio Motogo Ndong, and Florentina Ngangá Iñandji—who were each sentenced to three years in prison with fines.
Engonga’s conviction follows a dramatic fall from grace. He was dismissed from his post in November 2024. This comes after videos allegedly showing him in sexually compromising situations circulated on social media. The scandal led to his suspension and subsequent arrest on suspicion of corruption. A man once tasked with investigating financial crimes like money laundering now finds himself on the other side of the law. This is having been in custody since October 2024 before the conclusion of his trial this week.
Ghana Mourns Entertainment Legend, Daddy Lumba
A sea of mourners gathered at Black Star Square in Accra on Saturday. This was for a one-week observation to honor the life of Ghanaian highlife legend Charles Kwadwo Fosu, better known as Daddy Lumba. Family, friends, and fellow musicians sadly paid tributes. There was heartfelt music and prayers. His passing on August 8, 2025, after a prolonged illness, sent ripples of grief across the nation and beyond.
The commemoration drew influential figures from the creative arts and other sectors. This act highlighted Daddy Lumba’s immense impact on Ghana’s cultural and social landscape. With a career spanning over four decades, his artistry shaped the trajectory of highlife music. He produced countless classics like “Makra Mo” that continue to inspire new generations. His unmatched contribution earned him a reputation as one of Ghana’s most influential performers. His musical legacy will undoubtedly endure.
This one-week ceremony is just the beginning of a series of events planned to honor his memory. According to family sources, a state-assisted funeral and other commemorative activities will follow in the coming weeks. These events will ensure the highlife legend is celebrated with the dignity and reverence his legacy deserves.
Asake Celebrates Global Recognition at MLS Match
Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Asake, was the special guest at a Major League Soccer (MLS) match between the New York Red Bulls and Columbus this past weekend. He the honor of performing the coin toss. Photos and videos shared on his Instagram page show the artist standing between match officials, all smiles, as he tossed the coin to determine which team would kick off and which side they would play on.
To mark the occasion, one of Asake’s hit singles played over the stadium’s speakers during the coin toss, further cementing his growing global presence. After his official duties, he shared handshakes with both team captains and posed for a photo with them and the match officials. He also showcased his own football skills on the sidelines, juggling a ball. He exchanged a brief conversation and handshake with Cameroonian international Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
Since his rise to fame in 2020 with the hit song “Lady,” Asake has enjoyed a meteoric career. He has sold out shows globally and earning a 2025 Grammy nomination for “Best African Music Performance.” With three studio albums under his belt, his appearance at the MLS match is another sign of the crossover success and widespread appeal of Afrobeats music.
New Zealand Tourism Board Petitions for Swift-Kelce Wedding
After pop princess Taylor Swift and her fiancé, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, announced their engagement, the New Zealand tourism board took to Instagram to make a playful proposal. The board posted a “petition” urging the couple to host their “next Royal Wedding” in New Zealand, or “Aotearoa” as it’s known in the Māori language. The post suggested the country’s stunning landscapes would provide the perfect backdrop for their star-studded nuptials.
The Instagram post featured picturesque photos of New Zealand’s scenery, including mountain views in Fiordland, a beautiful vineyard in Wānaka, and a charming tree-lined chapel at Ohaupō. It concluded with a congratulatory message and a playful call for fans to “catch the bouquet in the comments” to manifest their dream wedding “down under.” Meanwhile, the newly engaged couple announced their news with a joint Instagram post of their own. The post was humorously captioned, “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.”
Their relationship has captivated fans and the media alike, first made public in September 2023. Swift has been a regular at Kelce’s games, and he has often attended her concerts on The Eras Tour. In a recent interview, Swift revealed that she felt her relationship with Kelce was a manifestation of what she had been writing about in her songs since she was a teenager. The public proposal by the New Zealand tourism board is a testament to the couple’s immense popularity and the global attention their romance has received.
Ciza Celebrates Remix of Hit Track with Naija Entertainment Icons, Tems, Omah Lay
outh African artist Ciza, whose real name is Nkululeko Nciza, is celebrating the release of the official remix of his hit track “Isaka (6am),” featuring Nigerian music stars Tems and Omah Lay. Ciza described the collaboration as both a personal and musical milestone, highlighting the way music can connect people across different countries and cultures. To mark the occasion, he shared a video on social media of himself playing the song for his parents, TK Nciza and Nhlanhla Mafu.
In the video’s caption, Ciza expressed his pride in the remix. He credited Tems and Omah Lay for taking the song to a “new level.” He shared that his parents had always told him he would one day make the world dance. The remix felt like a testament to their support. “Isaka” was an instant hit. The song went viral with a dance challenge. Its music video reached one million views in just 48 hours. The song has since allowed him to perform on stages worldwide.
According to the artist, the remix brings together South African and Nigerian sounds. This creates a vibrant blend of rhythmic energy and melodic interplay. Ciza noted that the song has already become a monumental success, making it the most-streamed song on Spotify in South Africa this year. The remix of “Isaka II (6AM)” was officially released on Thursday, August 28 to the delight of fans.
As we step into the new entertainment week, let’s keep it locked with Trickle Media. Enjoy the best in music, entertainment and lifestyle.
