Former Equatorial Guinea anti-corruption chief faces 18-year jail term Major Corruption Scandal

Baltasar Engonga, the embattled former Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency in Equatorial Guinea, is facing up to 18 years in prison following his appearance in a Malabo court for a high-profile corruption trial.
Engonga, who has been held at Black Beach Prison since September 2024, was detained after a sweeping corruption probe. His detention, however, is unrelated to the discovery of over 400 explicit videos involving prominent women, which were found in his office and residence during the investigation.
The former official is standing trial on charges of embezzlement, alongside several other ex-senior government figures. Prosecutors on Monday outlined what they called a sophisticated scheme to siphon public funds for personal use, allegedly orchestrated by Engonga during his tenure as head of the Directorate General of Insurance and Reinsurance from 2015 to 2020.
According to a report by Le Bled Parle, the national prosecutor has demanded a severe sentence: 8 years for embezzling public funds, 4 years and 5 months for unlawful enrichment and 6 years and 1 day for abuse of power.
In addition to the prison terms, prosecutors are recommending a fine exceeding 910 million CFA francs (approximately $1.5 million) and a ban on holding any public office for the duration of the sentence.
Engonga, a 54-year-old economist, is not alone in the dock. Six other former senior officials are also facing prosecution, including Carmelo Julio Matogo Ndong, Ireneo Mangue Monsuy Afana, and Florentina Iganga Iñandji. They are accused of participating in what authorities describe as a sprawling network of public fund misappropriation.
The trial is expected to last three days, with defense attorneys continuing to present their arguments this week.
In a sensational twist to the case, authorities allegedly uncovered over 400 explicit videos during a surprise search of Engonga’s office and home. The recordings reportedly depict sexual encounters with high-profile women, including the wife of the Director General of Police, the President’s sister, his cousin, and even his brother’s wife—as well as the spouses of around 20 government ministers.
Sources claim the videos, stored on CDs and discovered by officials from the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), were recorded with the participants’ consent. Some of the footage has since leaked online, triggering a media firestorm and further fueling public outrage over the scandal.