Baltasar Engonga, the former Director-General of Equatorial Guinea’s National Financial Investigation Agency, has been detained at Malabo’s Black Beach Prison.
According to reports, the former anti-corruption chief was arrested recently, accused of recording over 400 sex tapes involving the wives of high-profile individuals in the country.
The scandal emerged during a fraud investigation into the 54-year-old economist, prompting ANIF officials to conduct an unplanned search of his home and office, where they allegedly found CDs containing footage of his encounters with various married women.
As clips of the footage surfaced online, igniting a media storm, Equatorial Guinea’s President, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, dismissed Engonga. According to Decree No. 118/2024, dated November 4, the dismissal cited “irregularities committed in the exercise of his functions, as well as inappropriate family and social conduct for the performance of public duties.”
A viral video surfaced on social media on Friday, showing Engonga handcuffed on both hands and legs during a court appearance.
Confirming the situation, French online blog Afrikmatin reported that Engonga, who was officially removed from his role on November 6, 2024, was subsequently chained and transferred to Malabo Central Prison. He faces charges of corruption and embezzlement.
Additionally, online newspaper UGStandard reported that the sex tapes began circulating on social networks while Engonga was already held at Malabo’s notorious Black Beach Prison on charges of embezzling public funds, as reported by state television, TVGE.
In a fact-checking report published Wednesday, Dubawa verified that Engonga had indeed been taken into custody on corruption charges and is currently being held in Black Beach Prison.
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