The Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), an anti-graft agency in Equatorial Guinea, Baltasar Engonga, has been arrested for over 400 alleged sex tapes with wives of VIPs in the country as well as women who were closely related to them by blood including their sisters.
What led to Equatorial Guinea’s Boss Baltasar Engonga’s Arrest?
The scandal surfaced in Equatorial Guinea amid an economic fraud probe into the 54-year-old economist’s life. It was the surprise investigation that brought to light the 400+ explicit videos featuring prominent figures’ wives, sisters and other high-profile women in the country.
He faces allegations of large-scale financial misconduct after he was accused of involvement in a scheme that reportedly misappropriated over 1.2 billion Central African CFA francs in public funds.
As part of the ongoing investigation, Engonga Alú and other officials were under preventive detention. Several of his assets were frozen as authorities worked to uncover the full extent of the alleged embezzlement.
But while his other counterparts remained on their seemingly best behaviour, Engonga Alú has drawn more attention due to personal controversies involving high-profile women. Equatorial Guinea’s local media sources, such as Ahora EG and Asonga TV, reported that Engonga has been linked to relationships with individuals close to the country’s leadership, including his brother’s wife, a cousin and a sister of the President of Equatorial Guinea.
According to the reports, Engonga’s sexual scandal began sometime in October. However, Engonga came under scrutiny in October 2024 for making questionable transactions from public accounts in Equatorial Guinea to private accounts in the Cayman Islands.
The footage was discovered in his office and was reportedly recorded with consent but has since leaked online, sparking a public and media frenzy and drawing swift condemnation from government officials.
The controversy intensified when investigators reportedly discovered over 300 videos on Engonga Alú’s personal computer, allegedly showing encounters with multiple women, some of whom are married. These videos, found in his office, were said to be recorded with consent but have since leaked online, sparking a widespread media backlash. Many have called for him to be jailed.
Who Is Ebang Engonga Baltasar
Known locally as “Bello,” Ebang Engonga Baltasar is a notable figure in Equatorial Guinea. He was born on March 15, 1970, in Malabo. He is a married father and son of the current Chairman of the Commission of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community, Baltasar Engonga Edjo, and nephew to President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.
Baltasar Ebang Engonga Alú leads the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF) in Equatorial Guinea, overseeing financial investigations and combating corruption to uphold financial standards in the country.
Before his recent arrest, Engonga Alú was widely regarded for his role in leading ANIF and his contributions to enhancing financial oversight in Equatorial Guinea. Now, his position as a leader in the country’s fight against corruption is under intense scrutiny, with his personal and professional life becoming central to discussions on integrity in public service.
This case is particularly significant due to its sheer size, the profiles of the people involved, and the fact that Engonga is married with six children.
Here’s everything we know about Equatorial Guinea’s ANIF boss, Baltasar Ebang and his arrest
The ANIF officials uncovered Baltasar Engonga’s recorded sexual exploits with prominent women. The footage, which was found in his office, was allegedly taken with the consent of the various women whom he participated in the act with.
Some of the tapes were recorded in Engonga’s office, with one particularly disturbing scene purportedly showing him having sexual intercourse next to the country’s flag.
The discovery was first reported by local media site Ahora EG, which called it one of the most critical incidents in the country’s modern history.
“Baltasar Ebang Engonga is said to have filmed these scenes with the consent of the women themselves, which exonerates him from a possible crime of violation of integrity. In the videos, he is seen having unprotected sex with several women, including those married to powerful and well-known people in the country, but also with the most “diva and influential” single women in Equatorial Guinea.
“Some scenes take place in hotel rooms, houses, even in the protagonist’s office at the Ministry of Finance,” multiple reports have uncovered.
What The Government In Equatorial Guinea Is Saying
In a prompt response, the government of Equatorial Guinea suspended all the officials who had previously engaged in sexual activity within ministry offices.
Engonga is also an economist. Among his responsibilities include directing initiatives to curb financial corruption in the nation and supervising financial investigations.
“He’s one of the country’s most powerful men, entrusted by the family with control over finances and tax administration,” a Malabo insider told the reporters.
Teodorín viewed this as a chance to bring down Engonga, who had previously been a contender to succeed his father, President Obiang.
Vice President Teodoro Nguema denounced the acts as contrary to the nation’s public ethics law and code of conduct. He emphasized the importance of ethics and respect while restating the government’s “zero tolerance” approach to conduct that compromises the integrity of public service.
“Given the abuse that has been shown on social media in Equatorial Guinea in recent days and remembering that ministries are solely and exclusively for carrying out administrative work in support of the country’s development, sexual relations in offices are prohibited,” he stated, adding, “Control mechanisms are already in place, and anyone who violates this rule again will be subject to disciplinary proceedings for indecent conduct and will be dismissed from their job.”
The attorney general, Nzang Nguema, has also called on victims of sexual abuse to come forward, highlighting the dangers such frequent sexual encounters have to the public’s health.
“The possibility of a contagious disease being spread through these sexual interactions makes the situation even more critical,” Nguema noted.
