Equatorial Guinea’s Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), Baltasar Engonga, has been arrested following a shocking scandal involving the alleged recording of over 400 explicit videos with the wives of prominent figures in the country.
The scandal, which has rocked the nation’s political landscape, emerged during a fraud investigation that led authorities to search Engonga’s home and office, uncovering hundreds of CDs documenting the encounters.
Engonga, a 54-year-old economist, reportedly captured intimate moments with multiple high-profile women, including the wife of his own brother, the President’s sister, the spouse of the Director General of Police, and around 20 ministers’ wives.
The videos were allegedly recorded with consent but have since been leaked online, creating a storm across social media and mainstream outlets.
Local media outlet Ahora EG reported on the scale of the scandal, describing it as “unprecedented in the history of Equatorial Guinea.”
Engonga, commonly referred to as “Bello,” had recorded his liaisons over a period, which included sessions in his ANIF office, sometimes with the national flag visibly displayed.
“The most striking thing,” the report read, “is that some scenes took place in his work office, including moments in which he is seen sleeping with a woman next to the National Flag.”
The Executive reportedly reacted to the scandal by emphasizing the need for measures that would “establish a clear precedent on the expected conduct of public officials in order to create a more respectful work environment” in both the public and private sectors.
According to authorities, although the footage appears to have been recorded consensually, the videos have stirred deep outrage in the nation.
In a public statement, Equatorial Guinea’s Attorney General Nzang Nguema confirmed that, under the law, consensual sexual relations are not criminal unless force or coercion is involved.
However, he noted the serious implications for public health and public trust: “The possibility of a contagious disease being spread through these sexual interactions makes the situation even more critical,” he added, alluding to the risks posed to both the partners of those involved and the community at large.
Government officials responded swiftly to contain the fallout from the scandal. On Monday, the Vice President of Equatorial Guinea, Nguema Mangue, announced an immediate suspension of all officials involved in similar activities within ministry offices.
In a statement on social media platform X, he underscored the need for ethical conduct, writing that “ethics and respect are fundamental in our Administration,” and that any “irresponsible attitudes that put citizen trust at risk” would be met with zero tolerance.
The Vice President further stressed that such actions blatantly violate the national Code of Conduct and Public Ethics Law, threatening the very fabric of public service in Equatorial Guinea.