Equatorial Guinea’s Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), Baltasar Engonga, has been arrested in a massive scandal after authorities reportedly discovered over 400 sextapes involving prominent figures’ wives and other high-profile individuals.
The tapes, allegedly recorded with consent, surfaced as part of a broader investigation into Engonga’s activities, shaking the nation and drawing harsh criticism from the public and officials alike.
The tapes came to light during an unannounced raid of Engonga’s home and office amid an ongoing fraud investigation.
The raid reportedly uncovered hundreds of CDs in his office, revealing intimate videos featuring influential women, including the wives of ministers, the Director General of Police’s wife, Engonga’s own brother’s wife, and even the sister of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.
Many of the scenes were said to have been filmed in Engonga’s office, some with the national flag visible in the background.
In response to the scandal, the government has launched measures to reinforce ethical standards within public service, suspending all officials found engaging in inappropriate conduct on government premises.
Equatorial Guinea’s Vice President, Nguema Mangue, condemned Engonga’s actions, stressing that
“ethics and respect are fundamental in our Administration,” and vowing that any “irresponsible attitudes that put citizen trust at risk will not be allowed.”
The Attorney General, Nzang Nguema, noted that while consensual sexual relations are not criminal, the incident has raised public health concerns, given the possibility of disease transmission.
“The risk is not only for the women involved but also for their partners and the wider community,” he said, adding that the scandal underscores the importance of a safe and supportive environment for reporting abuse and assault.
Local media reports suggest that Engonga, who goes by the nickname “Bello,” has maintained these relationships for years, some with influential single women and others with married figures close to Equatorial Guinea’s power circles. Ahora EG, a prominent media outlet, called it “an unprecedented scandal,” adding,
“This is a case that has deeply affected the image of the country and the integrity of its institutions.”
For now, Engonga remains in custody, and the government has reaffirmed its commitment to a “zero-tolerance” approach to ethical violations within its ministries, with officials reiterating that there will be no tolerance for behavior that tarnishes public trust.
Online reports indicate that Baltasar Ebang Engonga is married and has six children.
