Baltasar Engonga, the former Director-General of Equatorial Guinea’s National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), has been remanded in custody at Malabo’s Black Beach Prison amid allegations of serious criminal conduct.
His arrest follows an investigation into his involvement in a wide-reaching fraud case and accusations of recording over 400 explicit videos involving the spouses of influential figures in the country. The investigation into Engonga, a 54-year-old economist, was spurred by concerns over potential corruption and misappropriation of public funds, prompting a search of his residence and office.
During the search, authorities uncovered numerous CDs containing footage of the illicit encounters. These explicit videos, once leaked, caused a public uproar, sparking widespread outrage and media scrutiny across the country. The revelations have brought significant attention to Engonga, further complicated by his position in the government and the prominent individuals implicated in the videos.
In the wake of the scandal, President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo issued a decree dismissing Engonga from his position, citing “irregularities committed in the exercise of his functions, as well as inappropriate family and social conduct incompatible with public service duties.” The decree, which was officially issued on November 4, 2024, formally relieved Engonga of his duties. He was dismissed just days before his detention and subsequent transfer to the Black Beach Prison.
On November 6, 2024, a video surfaced on social media showing Engonga in court, handcuffed and chained, further highlighting the gravity of the situation. French blog Afrikmatin confirmed that Engonga, after being officially relieved of his duties, was escorted under restraint and transferred to the high-security Black Beach Prison in Malabo. He now faces multiple charges, including corruption, embezzlement, and other offenses linked to his role at ANIF.
Amidst his detention, reports emerged of the ongoing spread of the explicit videos across social media platforms. UGStandard, an online news outlet, corroborated these claims, citing state broadcaster TVGE, which confirmed that the leaked tapes gained traction online while Engonga was already incarcerated on charges of embezzling public funds.
The unfolding scandal and Engonga’s arrest have shaken the government of Equatorial Guinea, already embroiled in a series of allegations involving financial misconduct. The case has drawn considerable attention from both local and international media, raising questions about the country’s governance, corruption, and accountability within the government.
A fact-check published by Dubawa on Wednesday verified Engonga’s detention at Black Beach Prison, confirming his ongoing incarceration on corruption-related charges. The situation continues to develop, with further investigations expected to follow as the case against Engonga progresses through the legal system.
