Baltasar Engonga, the embattled former Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency in Equatorial Guinea, is facing a possible 18-year prison sentence following corruption charges filed against him. Engonga, who had also previously headed the Directorate General of Insurance and Reinsurance between 2015 and 2020, appeared in court in Malabo earlier this week as his trial officially began.
He has been held at Black Beach Prison since September 2024, following his arrest during a broad anti-corruption investigation. Though not formally charged over them, the case drew heightened public attention after authorities discovered over 400 sextapes in his home and office — tapes allegedly involving several high-profile women in the country.
According to the prosecution, Engonga is accused of masterminding a sophisticated embezzlement scheme, in which public funds were allegedly misappropriated and diverted for personal use. The financial crimes are said to have occurred during his tenure as the insurance agency’s chief, between 2015 and 2020.
In court on Monday, prosecutors outlined several charges against him, including:
Eight (8) years imprisonment for embezzlement of public funds
Four (4) years and five (5) months for unlawful enrichment
Six (6) years and one (1) day for abuse of power
In addition to the proposed prison sentence, the prosecution is also seeking a fine of over 910 million CFA francs (approximately $1.5 million). The sentence also includes a ban from holding any public office for the duration of the punishment.
Engonga is being tried alongside six other former senior government officials, all accused of participating in the misappropriation of public resources. Among the co-defendants are:
Carmelo Julio Matogo Ndong
Ireneo Mangue Monsuy Afana
Florentina Iganga Iñandji
These individuals, according to the authorities, were involved in what has been described as a large-scale financial corruption network.
The trial, which began on Monday, is scheduled to continue over a three-day period, as defence lawyers prepare their responses and present their counterarguments in court.
One of the most sensational aspects of the investigation came when anti-corruption officials conducted a surprise search of Engonga’s properties. During the search, they reportedly uncovered hundreds of CDs and digital files, which contained recordings of intimate encounters. These tapes reportedly feature high-ranking women, including:
The wife of the Director General of Police
The sister of the President of Equatorial Guinea
Approximately 20 wives of serving ministers
His cousin
His brother’s wife
Although the sextapes are not directly part of the formal corruption charges, their discovery has sparked national outrage and raised serious questions about abuse of power, privacy violations, and the ethics of those once tasked with safeguarding public interest.
The outcome of the trial is expected to set a precedent in the country’s fight against corruption and abuse of office. The proceedings continue this week.
