Baltasar Engonga, the former Director-General of Equatorial Guinea’s National Financial Investigation Agency, has been detained at Malabo’s Black Beach Prison.
Engonga was arrested days ago amid allegations of recording over 400 sex tapes involving the wives of high-profile figures in Equatorial Guinea. The scandal surfaced during a fraud investigation into the 54-year-old economist, prompting ANIF officials to conduct a sudden search of his home and office, where they reportedly found CDs revealing intimate encounters with multiple married women.
As the footage began circulating online, sparking widespread outrage, President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo dismissed Engonga. The dismissal was formalized in Decree No. 118/2024, dated November 4, citing “irregularities committed in his functions” and “inappropriate family and social conduct” unbefitting a public official.
On Friday, a viral video on social media showed Engonga, handcuffed at his wrists and ankles, during a court appearance. The French news site Afrikmatin confirmed that Engonga, officially removed from his position on November 6, 2024, was subsequently restrained and transferred to Malabo Central Prison. He now faces charges of corruption and embezzlement.
Online newspaper UGStandard reported that sex tapes started circulating on social networks while Engonga was already detained on embezzlement charges at Black Beach Prison, according to state television TVGE. A fact-check by Dubawa also confirmed Engonga’s detention on corruption charges and his current custody at Black Beach Prison.
