Baltasar Engonga Ebang, the former Director General of Equatorial Guinea’s National Agency for Financial Investigation, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for embezzling over Sh 230 million (1 billion CFA francs) in government funds.
According to local media reports, Engonga personally pocketed Sh 209.3 million (910 million CFA francs), much of which was allegedly spent on a lavish lifestyle, including women and other personal indulgences.
The trial, which began on Monday, also implicated several former officials from the public enterprise. Prosecutors said the embezzlement scheme was orchestrated by Engonga during his tenure as head of the Directorate General of Insurance and Reinsurance (DGAR) between 2015 and 2020.
Media outlet Le Bled Parle reported that the prosecution called for a stiff sentence: eight years for embezzlement, four years and five months for illicit enrichment, and six years and one day for abuse of power. In addition to the jail term, Engonga faces a fine of over Sh 209.3 million (910 million CFA francs) and has been barred from holding public office during his sentence.
Six other senior officials, among them Carmelo Julio Matogo Ndong, Ireneo Mangue Monsuy Afana, and Florentina Iganga Iñandji, are also facing trial in connection with what authorities have described as a vast network of financial corruption.
In November 2024, Engonga was further thrust into scandal after dozens of explicit videos surfaced online, reportedly showing him engaging in sexual acts with over 40 women.
The footage, shared widely on social media, revealed encounters allegedly filmed at his office, in hotels, restrooms, and even by a riverside.
Many of the women featured were later identified as wives of senior government officials, family members, and personal aides. Engonga, a father of six, is said to have filmed more than 400 pornographic clips.
Following the revelations, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo appointed Zenón Obiang Obiang Avomo as the new Director General of the financial agency.
The government then proceeded to formally prosecute Engonga for misconduct related to the sex tape scandal, in addition to the financial crimes.