Baltasar Engonga, the former Director General of Equatorial Guinea’s National Financial Investigation Agency, is facing an 18-year prison sentence following his appearance in a Malabo court over serious corruption allegations.
Engonga has been in detention at the notorious Black Beach Prison since September 2024, in connection with a corruption probe. Although unrelated to the charges, authorities also discovered more than 400 sextapes involving prominent women in his home and office, further complicating his public image.
He is charged alongside several other former senior officials for allegedly embezzling state funds. During Monday’s court session, prosecutors outlined what they described as a sophisticated financial scheme orchestrated during Engonga’s tenure as head of the Directorate General of Insurance and Reinsurance from 2015 to 2020.
According to Le Bled Parle, the national prosecutor has recommended harsh penalties:
8 years imprisonment for embezzlement of public funds
4 years and 5 months for unlawful enrichment
6 years and 1 day for abuse of office
In addition, prosecutors are seeking a fine exceeding 910 million CFA francs (around $1.5 million) and a ban on Engonga holding any public office for the duration of the sentence.
Engonga, 54, is an economist by profession.
He is not alone in the dock—six other former senior officials are also facing prosecution for alleged misappropriation of public funds.
Among them are Carmelo Julio Matogo Ndong, Ireneo Mangue Monsuy Afana, and Florentina Iganga Iñandji, accused of participating in a vast financial corruption network.
The trial, expected to last three days, continues this week with the defense set to present its arguments.
Meanwhile, the case has attracted even more public attention due to a separate scandal: during a raid by ANIF investigators, over 400 sextapes were discovered in Engonga’s possession.
The explicit videos allegedly depict him with several high-profile women, including the wives of ministers, the Director General of Police, his own cousin, and even the sister of the country’s president.
The recordings, which were reportedly made with the women’s consent, have since leaked online, sparking outrage and widespread media coverage.