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Equatorial Guinea to arraign ex-anti-corruption chief over sex tape scandal
The Government of Equatorial Guinea has filed a lawsuit against Baltasar Engonga, the former Director General of the country’s National Financial Investigation Agency, for alleged misconduct in connection with a sex tape scandal.
The government stated that the actions of the ex-anti-graft agency chief “violate the ethical and moral values of noble Equatorial Guinean society.”
Through the Minister of Information, Press, and Culture, Jerónimo Osa Osa, the government made this known over the weekend.
In a public address covered by local media platform Ahora EG, the Minister of Information announced that the Equatorial Guinean Government, through the State Attorney General’s Office, would initiate a thorough investigation into the acts committed by Baltasar Ebang Engonga.
Ahora EG reported, “This decision comes after several videos went viral in which Ebang Engonga is seen having sexual relations with multiple women, some of whom are married.”
The government reacted on Friday in an official statement, condemning these acts as “violations of the ethical and moral values of noble Equatorial Guinean society.”
The government has consequently announced the initiation of legal proceedings against Ebang Engonga and his accomplices through the Public Prosecutor’s Office, aiming to hold them accountable before the law.
“In light of these serious events, which severely undermine family and social cohesion, and considering the negative impact that this situation has on the good image of our country, tarnishing its reputation, the government, through the Public Prosecutor’s Office, has commenced a thorough investigation to establish responsibilities at the administrative, civil, and criminal levels, given the possibility of a public health impact,” reported the government spokesperson.
The government further stated it would assess various parameters, such as the distinction between personal and private spheres, prior consent (explicit or implicit), violations of privacy, damage to individuals’ honour and prestige, and the rights of those harmed by these events, including the state itself.
Earlier, The PUNCH reported that Engonga was arrested for allegedly recording over 400 sex tapes involving the wives of notable individuals in the country.
The scandal surfaced during a fraud investigation against the 54-year-old economist, resulting in an impromptu search of his house and office by ANIF officials, who discovered several CDs revealing his involvement with various married women.
The videos reportedly feature encounters with high-profile individuals, including his brother’s wife, his cousin, the sister of the President of Equatorial Guinea, the wife of the Director General of Police, and approximately 20 ministers’ wives, among others.
The footage, discovered in his personal office, is said to have been recorded with consent and has since leaked online, causing a public outcry.
In response, the government ordered the installation of surveillance cameras in courts and ministries to curb “indecent and illicit acts.”
It also announced the suspension of officials involved in the scandal, according to a statement by the Equatorial Guinea Press and Information Office, published on the government’s website on Tuesday.
Vice-President Teodoro Mangue stated on Tuesday that any official found engaging in sexual acts at work would be sanctioned, as this was a “flagrant violation of the code of conduct.”
