Baltasar Engonga, the former Director-General of the National Financial Investigation Agency in Equatorial Guinea, has been remanded in Malabo’s notorious Black Beach Prison.
His arrest came after the discovery of over 400 sex tapes allegedly involving the wives of prominent figures in the country.
The scandal surfaced during a fraud investigation into the 54-year-old economist, leading to a search of his home and office by ANIF officials. The officials reportedly found CDs revealing Engonga’s sexual encounters with different married women. As the footage leaked online, causing a media uproar, Equatorial Guinea’s President, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, dismissed Engonga.
According to Decree No. 118/2024, dated 4th November, Engonga’s dismissal was due to “irregularities committed in the exercise of his functions, as well as inappropriate family and social conduct for the performance of public duties”. He was officially removed from his role on November 6, 2024, and now faces charges of corruption and embezzlement.
A viral video showed Engonga handcuffed and chained during a court appearance. He is currently being held in Black Beach Prison, confirmed by French online blog Afrikmatin and online newspaper UGStandard ¹. Dubawa verified that Engonga was taken into custody on corruption charges and is being held in Black Beach Prison.
The incident has sparked widespread controversy, with Equatorial Guinea restricting WhatsApp amid the sex scandal. The country has also installed CCTV cameras in offices and suspended officials in connection with the scandal.
