Baltasar Engonga, the Director General of Equatorial Guinea’s National Financial Investigation Agency, has been arrested and imprisoned due to allegations of recording over 400 intimate videos with prominent women, including wives of influential individuals and relatives of high-ranking government officials.
The scandal came to light during a separate investigation into fraud, which led to the search of his residence and office, revealing numerous CDs and digital recordings of his sexual encounters. “The most striking thing 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,” local media outlet Ahora EG reported.
The videos reportedly feature encounters with high-profile individuals, including the sister of the President, the wife of the Director General of Police, and the spouses of approximately 20 ministers. Attorney General Nzang Nguema stressed that although the images suggest consensual participation, the law requires evidence of coercion or violence to constitute a crime.
In response to the scandal, Equatorial Guinea’s government has taken swift action, suspending all officials involved in sexual misconduct within ministry offices, reinforcing a zero-tolerance policy. Vice President Nguema Mangue condemned the actions, saying, “Ethics and respect are fundamental in our administration”.
Tragically, one of the women allegedly featured in the illicit videos took her own life, reportedly overwhelmed by the spread of the footage. This incident highlights the need for stronger measures to protect the privacy and dignity of those affected by the leaked content.
