Baltasar Engonga, Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF) in Equatorial Guinea, has been arrested following the discovery of over 400 sextapes involving him with the wives and sisters of high-profile individuals.
During an unrelated fraud investigation, ANIF officials conducted an unannounced search of Engonga’s office and uncovered a collection of CDs revealing his intimate encounters with several prominent women, including the sister of the President and the wife of the Director General of Police.
According to local media, Engonga, also known as “Bello,” allegedly recorded these encounters with consent, which legally exempts him from charges related to coercion. However, the content, including scenes filmed in his office next to the National Flag, has sparked public outrage, and the footage has circulated widely on social media, casting a shadow on the country’s government and public administration.
The government of Equatorial Guinea has responded by suspending officials found engaging in intimate acts within ministry offices, asserting a strict “zero tolerance” policy on behavior that tarnishes the public service’s reputation.
Vice President Nguema Mangue addressed the scandal on social media, emphasizing that public ethics and respect are essential and that such irresponsible conduct would not be tolerated.
Attorney General Nzang Nguema reiterated that while consensual acts are not criminal, the scandal’s exposure poses risks to all involved, including the potential spread of infectious diseases. He urged victims of any coercive incidents to come forward and report them.
This scandal, unprecedented in Equatorial Guinea, has led to a reassessment of public conduct policies, with the government setting a precedent to uphold a respectful work environment in both public and private sectors.
