Former Equatorial Guinea Official Sentenced to 18 Years for Embezzling 1 Billion CFA Francs

Baltasar Engonga Ebang, the former Director General of the National Agency for Financial Investigation of Equatorial Guinea, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for embezzling over 1 billion CFA francs of government funds. The trial, which began on Monday, involved several other officials from the public enterprise and highlighted a series of financial misconduct allegations against Engonga.

Engonga's rise to notoriety came in late 2024 when his sex tapes went viral on social media, leading to allegations of financial misconduct in his management of a state-owned company under the Ministry of Finance. According to reports, Engonga personally collected 910 million Francs out of the stolen sum, which was allegedly spent on women and lavish pleasures.

During the trial, the prosecution demanded a series of sentences, including 8 years for embezzlement, 4 years and 5 months for illicit enrichment, and 6 years and 1 day for abuse of power. The prosecution also asked for an 18-year prison sentence along with a fine of nearly one billion CFA francs. The defense counsel, however, rejected all the charges.

In the 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.” Observers noted that Engonga remained mostly silent throughout the session.

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

Engonga's personal life also came under scrutiny following the viral sex tapes, which showed him engaging in sexual acts with more than 40 different women. The videos, which were first shared on WhatsApp and then posted to various social media platforms, revealed that none of the women appeared to have been coerced. The women included the wives of prominent government officials, relatives, and personal staff.

Engonga, who is married with six children, reportedly shot more than 400 pornographic videos at his office in the finance ministry, as well as 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.

The government also took action to prosecute Engonga for alleged misconduct in connection with the sex tape scandal. The government representative described Engonga's actions as violating “the ethical and moral values of noble Equatorial Guinean society.” The government initiated a thorough investigation into the acts committed by Engonga through the State Attorney General’s Office.

The Minister of Information, Press, and Culture, Jerónimo Osa Osa, stressed that the investigation will assess various parameters, including the distinction between personal and private spheres, prior consent, violations of privacy, damage to individuals’ honor 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.