Balthazar Ebang Engonga, the former Director General of Equatorial Guinea’s National Agency for Financial Investigation (ANIF), has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for embezzling over 1 billion CFA francs in government funds, as confirmed by local media on July 3, 2025.
The high-profile conviction, following a trial that exposed a web of financial misconduct, marks a significant moment in Equatorial Guinea’s fight against corruption.
Engonga’s case, initially brought to public attention by a viral sex tape scandal, has gripped the nation, sparking debates about accountability, privacy, and the conduct of public officials.
Engonga, a nephew of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, was arrested on October 25, 2024, accused of syphoning public funds into secret Cayman Islands accounts while leading ANIF, an agency tasked with combating financial crimes like money laundering.
The prosecution alleged he personally misappropriated 910 million CFA francs, much of which was reportedly spent on lavish lifestyles and women.
The trial, which began in June 2025, also implicated other officials, with Engonga’s co-conspirators facing pending sentences.
His assets have been frozen, and he faces additional fines exceeding 910 million CFA francs, alongside a ban on holding public office.
The case gained international notoriety after over 400 explicit videos, allegedly showing Engonga with various women, including relatives of high-ranking officials, were leaked online following his detention at Malabo’s Black Beach prison.
Discovered during a fraud investigation, the consensual recordings, some filmed in his office, sparked outrage and led to his dismissal via presidential decree on November 8, 2024.
Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue ordered telecom companies to curb the videos’ spread, citing damage to Equatorial Guinea’s image, while the Attorney General raised concerns about potential public health risks if Engonga had a sexually transmitted disease.
Social media platforms have been abuzz with reactions, with hashtags like #BalthazarEbangEngonga trending alongside discussions of elite corruption.
Locals highlight public fascination with the scandal, blending shock at the embezzlement with intrigue over the leaked tapes.
The case has fuelled calls for stricter oversight of public officials and better digital privacy protections, as Equatorial Guinea grapples with its reputation amid ongoing human rights criticisms.
