Ex-Equatorial Guinea Minister Baltasar Engonga Sentenced to 18 Years Over Hundreds of Leaked

As his corruption trial continues in a Malabo court, Baltasar Engonga, the former Director-General of Equatorial Guinea’s National Financial Investigation Agency, could receive a sentence of up to 18 years in prison.
The former head of his nation’s anti-graft agency, Engonga, was reportedly recently involved in a scandal that rocked the political establishment.
Since September 2024, Engonga has been remanded in the notorious Black Beach Prison. He is on trial for embezzlement of public funds, unlawful enrichment, and abuse of office while serving as the Directorate General of Insurance and Reinsurance from 2015 to 2020.

During the hearing on Monday, the national prosecutor asked for the troubled former official to receive a total sentence of 18 years:

Embezzlement for eight years
Unlawful enrichment for four years and five months
One day and six years for misusing the position
A fine of more than 910 million CFA francs (roughly $1.5 million or ₦2.2 billion) and a lifetime ban from holding public office are also imposed on Engonga.

Engonga was accused by the prosecution of masterminding a complex financial network that embezzled public funds for private benefit, a scheme that they claim crippled vital public sector development.

The Equatorial Guinean Sex Tape Scandal in Engonga
According to Naija News, during raids on Engonga’s private office and residence a few months ago, investigators discovered more than 400 sex tapes in a startling turn of events that captured the public’s attention.

Le Bled Parle said the tapes purportedly included relatives of high government officials, security chiefs, and the wives of senior ministers. Authorities said the videos, which were taken with permission, were found on hard drives and CDs. Many of the videos have since been leaked online, causing public indignation and calls for more research.

Read Also: COAS Oluyede Reiterates Army’s Role in Security, Democracy Protection on Army Day

Engonga’s court battle is not an isolated one. In addition, six other former high-ranking officials, including Florentina Iganga Iñandji and Carmelo Julio Matogo Ndong, are on trial for allegedly being part of a large-scale graft syndicate that embezzled public funds.

It is anticipated that the trial, which has enthralled both domestic and foreign observers, will go on all week as defense attorneys start making their case.

Pressure on Equatorial Guinea’s government to fortify its anti-corruption frameworks, guarantee increased transparency, and hold all officials accountable—regardless of their position—has increased as a result of this case.

Watching the proceedings closely are citizens and civil society organizations who want justice to be served and the nation’s long history of financial mismanagement to be finally addressed.