Baltasar Engonga, the former Director-General of Equatorial Guinea’s National Financial Investigation Agency, has been remanded in custody at Malabo’s Black Beach Prison.
Engonga’s arrest came shortly after reports surfaced accusing him of recording over 400 explicit videos involving the spouses of influential figures in the country.
This revelation emerged amid an ongoing fraud investigation into the 54-year-old economist, prompting officials from ANIF to conduct an unannounced search of his residence and office.
During the search, authorities reportedly uncovered numerous CDs containing footage of these encounters, The PUNCH reports.
The leaked videos have ignited widespread public outrage and intense media scrutiny.
In response, President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo dismissed Engonga from his position.
According to Decree No. 118/2024, issued on November 4, the dismissal cited “irregularities committed in the exercise of his functions, as well as inappropriate family and social conduct incompatible with public service duties.”
On Friday, a video circulated widely on social media showing Engonga appearing in court, restrained with handcuffs on both his hands and feet.
French blog Afrikmatin confirmed that Engonga, officially relieved of his duties on November 6, 2024, was subsequently chained and transferred to Malabo Central Prison. He is facing charges related to corruption and embezzlement.
Furthermore, UGStandard, an online news outlet, reported that the sex tapes began to spread on social networks while Engonga was already detained at Black Beach Prison on accusations of misappropriating public funds, as corroborated by state broadcaster TVGE.
In a fact-check published on Wednesday, Dubawa verified Engonga’s detention on corruption charges, affirming that he is currently being held in Black Beach Prison.