A series of leaked videos showing a senior official engaging in sexual activities in his office has ignited a major scandal in Equatorial Guinea, leading authorities to restrict internet traffic and consider disciplinary actions.
The footage, discovered in the office of Baltasar Ebang Engonga, Director of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), includes encounters with high-profile individuals, reportedly involving figures such as his brother’s wife, his cousin, the President’s sister, the wife of the Director General of Police, and wives of about 20 ministers, among others.
These recordings, reportedly made with consent, were leaked online, fueling public outrage and media scrutiny. On Monday, November 4, Vice-President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue announced on his X account that the government would “suspend all civil servants involved in sexual acts within ministry offices, as this breaches the Code of conduct and public ethics laws.”
He underscored that the Government will not allow such acts, especially those compromising the dignity of married women and threatening family unity. This incident stands out for its unprecedented public reaction due to the prominence of those involved. The Vice-President had recently instructed the Ministry of Telecommunications, telecom companies, and the National regulatory body to take measures against the spread of explicit videos on the country’s social networks.
Nicknamed “Bello” for his good looks, Baltasar Ebang Engonga is married with children and is the son of Baltasar Engonga Edjo’o, president of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC). He is also related to the President of Equatorial Guinea.
The videos emerged online while Engonga was held at Black Beach prison in Malabo over public fund embezzlement charges. The timing of the recordings remains unclear. Attorney General Anatolio Nzang Nguema added on TVGE that if Engonga is found to have a sexually transmitted infection, he could face additional charges for public health endangerment.