Baltasar Engonga sentenced to 18 years imprisonment for financial misconduct

Former Director General of the National Agency for Financial Investigation of Equatorial Guinea, Baltasar Engonga Ebang, has been convicted and sentenced to 18 years imprisonment after being found guilty of embezzling over 1 billion CFA francs of government funds. 

Baltasar rose to fame in late 2024 after his sex tapes went viral on social media. Following that period, he has been facing allegations of financial misconduct for his fraudulent management of a state-owned company under the Ministry of Finance. 

According to reports by the country’s media platforms, Baltasar Engonga personally collected 910 million Francs out of the stolen sum, most of which was allegedly blown on women and lavish pleasures.

The trial, which began on Monday, involved several other officials from the public enterprise.

During the trial, the prosecution demanded a series of sentences. These include 8 years for embezzlement, 4 years and 5 months for illicit enrichment, or 6 years and 1 day for abuse of power, among others. It asked for an 18-year prison sentence along with a fine of nearly one billion CFA francs.

However, the defence counsel rejected all the charges.

In Wednesday’s ruling, judges cited overwhelming evidence, including bank transfers, offshore accounts, and forged contracts. The prosecution described the case as “one of the largest financial betrayals of public trust in recent memory.” In the courtroom, observers noted that Baltasar Engonga remained mostly silent throughout the session.

After proper verification of all evidence, the presiding judge sentenced Egonga to 18 years’ imprisonment for embezzlement of public funds. 

Egonga’s conviction marks a significant moment in the country’s fight against elite corruption. His co-conspirators, whose identities are expected to be revealed in the coming days, will also face sentencing. 

Also Read: Sex tape scandal: Equatorial Guinea to prosecute Baltasar Engonga for misconduct

Baltasar Engonga is a familiar face

Recall that in November 2024, videos started making the rounds on social media showing the Director of Equatorial Guinea’s National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), Baltasar Ebang Engonga, engaging in sexual acts with more than 40 different women. The videos were first shared on WhatsApp, then posted to Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X.

The videos revealed that none of the women appeared to have been coerced by the Egonga. They were identified as including the wives of prominent government officials, relatives, and personal staff.

Engonga, married with six children, reportedly shot more than 400 pornographic videos at his office in the finance ministry. He also shot videos in hotel rooms, restrooms, and at least once beside a river.

Following the incident, the President of Equatorial Guinea, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, appointed Zenón Obiang Obiang Avomo as the new Director General of the National Agency for Financial Investigation.

After that, the government also took action to prosecute Baltasar Engonga for alleged misconduct in connection with a sex tape scandal.

The government representative described the actions of the ex-anti-graft agency chief as violating “the ethical and moral values of noble Equatorial Guinean society. It also noted that the Government will initiate a thorough investigation into the acts committed by Baltasar Ebang Engonga through the State Attorney General’s Office.

In addition, the Minister of Information, Press, and Culture, Jerónimo Osa Osa, stressed that the investigation will assess various parameters. These will cover the distinction between personal and private spheres, prior consent (explicit or implicit), violations of privacy, damage to individuals’ honour and prestige, and the rights of those harmed by these events, including the state itself.

Engonga is well-connected within the government as he is the son of the current Chairman of the Commission of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community, Baltasar Engonga Edjo. He is also reportedly related to the country’s long-serving president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.