Former Director-General of Equatorial Guinea’s National Financial Investigation Agency, Baltasar Engonga, has been imprisoned at Black Beach Prison in Malabo following allegations of corruption and a sensational sex tape scandal. Engonga, who was arrested days ago, reportedly recorded over 400 sex tapes involving the wives of prominent figures in the country, which surfaced amid a fraud investigation.
During the probe, authorities conducted a surprise search of Engonga’s home and office, where they discovered CDs allegedly containing footage of his encounters with various married women. As the tapes began circulating online, they ignited a media firestorm, leading President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo to dismiss Engonga. The dismissal, under Decree No. 118/2024, cited “irregularities committed in the exercise of his functions” and misconduct deemed inappropriate for a public official.
A video of Engonga in handcuffs went viral on social media on Friday, showing him bound at both hands and feet during a court appearance. According to the French blog Afrikmatin, Engonga, officially relieved of his duties on November 6, 2024, has since been charged with corruption and embezzlement.
Meanwhile, Dubawa, a fact-checking platform, verified Engonga’s detention at Black Beach Prison on charges of financial misconduct. State television, TVGE, confirmed he faces accusations of misappropriating public funds, while reports from online newspaper UGStandard noted that the sex tapes began circulating as he awaited trial in the infamous facility.