Nguema: Life President Equatorial Guinea

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, is representing Nigeria today at the swearing-in ceremony of President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea. The country’s presidential election held last month.

The inauguration is holding in Malabo, the country’s capital.

The Vice President returns to Abuja later today.

The 74 year-old Mbasogo has been the leader of the small island nation since 1979. He is Africa’s longest ruler, one year older than Africa’s oldest ruler, Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe.

Mbasogo had seized power from President Francisco Macias Nguema, who was the leader  of the poor country at independence. He put him to trial and executed him.

Since then, Mbasogo and his son, Teodoro ‘Teodorin’ Nguema Obiang have been accused of massive theft of the country’s funds. In November 2014, the US Justice Department   ordered Teodoro  to forfeit his US-based property and belongings, estimated at over $70million.

These included a $30 million Malibu, California, oceanfront home, a $38.5 million Gulfstream jet, a Ferrari worth more than $500,000 and dozens of pieces of pop singer Michael Jackson memorabilia worth almost $2 million.