The embattled former Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency in Equatorial Guinea, Baltasar Engonga, is set to face 18 years imprisonment after he appeared in the Malabo court for his corruption trial.
Engonga, who has been held at the infamous Black Beach Prison since September 2024, was arrested in connection to a major corruption case. However, the situation worsened after authorities allegedly uncovered over 400 explicit tapes in his possession — videos said to feature prominent women from the country.
Though these tapes are not officially tied to his financial charges, their discovery has added to the public backlash and controversy surrounding the case.
Engonga is accused of embezzling government funds during his time as head of the Directorate General of Insurance and Reinsurance, a role he held between 2015 and 2020. Prosecutors told the court on Monday that he organized a system to misdirect public money for personal use.
According to local news outlet Le Bled Parle, the state prosecutor is pushing for a tough penalty. They requested eight years of jail time for misusing state funds, four years and five months for unlawful personal gain, and an additional six years and one day for misusing his official authority.
Along with the prison terms, a fine of over 910 million CFA francs — around $1.5 million — has also been suggested. Engonga could also be banned from holding any government role for the entire duration of his sentence.
The 54-year-old, who is also an economist, is not the only person being prosecuted. Six other former senior officials are also on trial. This group includes Carmelo Julio Matogo Ndong, Ireneo Mangue Monsuy Afana, and Florentina Iganga Iñandji.
They are all suspected of playing roles in what has been described by investigators as a wide-reaching financial corruption ring.
The trial is scheduled to span three days, with defence lawyers expected to present their side in the coming sessions.
Meanwhile, details about the controversial videos have caused a separate storm in the country. It was reported that during a surprise inspection of Engonga’s home and office, investigators found several CDs.
The content allegedly revealed Engonga’s encounters with numerous high-ranking individuals’ spouses. Among the women said to appear in the footage are his own relatives, the sister of the nation’s President, the wife of the Police Director General, and around 20 ministers’ wives.
