Equatorial Guinea has recently seen a dramatic shake-up within its anti-corruption efforts as Baltasar Engonga, the head of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), was dismissed amid a widespread sex scandal. President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo made the decision to relieve Engonga of his duties, citing “irregularities committed in the exercise of his functions, as well as inappropriate family and social conduct for the performance of public functions,” according to Decree No. 118/2024, dated November 4, 2024.
Businesswoman Adesuwa Ighalo has publicly criticized the handling of the scandal involving Baltasar Engonga, expressing dismay over the authorities’ release of private videos tied to the case. “If the Equatorial Guinea guy sues the government, he will definitely win,” Ighalo commented, underscoring her view that the exposure of intimate footage represents a violation of privacy rights. According to Ighalo, even if Engonga is implicated in inappropriate conduct, the release of private videos by the police and government has crossed ethical boundaries, potentially giving him grounds for a successful legal challenge. She argued that such actions undermine due process and violate the standards of confidentiality expected within an investigation, calling on the government to ensure privacy protections are upheld in future cases.
Engonga, who has held a prominent position in Equatorial Guinea’s anti-graft structure, faces allegations that have sent ripples through the Central African nation. As the son of Baltasar Engonga Edjoo, the current president of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), his high-profile family background has only added to the intense public scrutiny. Authorities investigating Engonga's activities uncovered over 400 explicit videos that purportedly show him in compromising situations with various women, many of whom have connections to high-ranking officials.
The recordings, which are reported to have gone viral in the region, allegedly show Engonga in intimate encounters with multiple individuals, including the wife of his brother, his cousin, a sister of the president, the wife of the national police chief, and nearly 20 other women linked to government ministers. It is believed that the encounters were consensual and took place in diverse locations, such as Engonga’s office, hotels, and even bathrooms.
In response to these revelations, the government has taken additional measures to address ethical breaches among its officials. All officials implicated in similar misconduct within government offices have been placed under suspension. Furthermore, the administration has announced its intention to install surveillance cameras across all government office premises to prevent further misconduct and ensure greater accountability.
This high-profile scandal has sparked nationwide debates about integrity, accountability, and ethical conduct within the ranks of public servants in Equatorial Guinea.
