Amid over 400 sex tapes, ex-E’Guinea anti-corruption chief Engonga faces 18 years in jail
By Jeffrey Agbo
Former Director General of Equatorial Guinea’s National Financial Investigation Agency, Baltasar Engonga, is facing up to 18 years in prison following his appearance before a Malabo court in an ongoing high-profile corruption trial.
Engonga, who has been in custody at the notorious Black Beach Prison since September 2024, is standing trial for alleged embezzlement and abuse of office. Prosecutors accuse him of orchestrating a sophisticated scheme to divert public funds while serving as head of the Directorate General of Insurance and Reinsurance between 2015 and 2020.
According to the news platform, Le Bled Parle, during Monday’s court session, prosecutors demanded a total of 18 years in prison: eight years for embezzling public funds, four years and five months for illicit enrichment, and six years and one day for abuse of authority. In addition, they proposed a hefty fine of over 910 million CFA francs (approximately $1.5 million) and a ban on holding any public office during the sentence.
Engonga, 54, is among several former high-ranking officials currently on trial in what authorities describe as a vast corruption network. Others in the dock include Carmelo Julio Matogo Ndong, Ireneo Mangue Monsuy Afana, and Florentina Iganga Iñandji, all accused of diverting public funds for personal enrichment.
The case has garnered massive public attention not only due to the scale of alleged financial wrongdoing, but also because of a sensational sex scandal tied to Engonga. During raids on his home and office, authorities reportedly discovered over 400 sextapes stored on CDs, involving sexual encounters with high-profile married women—including wives of top government officials.
According to reports, the videos were allegedly recorded with consent and feature women linked to powerful figures, such as the wife of the Director General of Police, the sister of the President, and spouses of over 20 ministers. Some of the tapes, believed to have been recorded in his office, were leaked online, sparking public outrage and embarrassment among the political elite.
The trial is expected to span three days, with defence lawyers set to present their arguments as proceedings continue this week.
