Balthazar Engonga: Randy Equatorial Guinea Official Faces Up to 18 Years in Prison After Corruption Conviction
Baltasar Engonga—once the powerful Director General of Equatorial Guinea’s National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF)—is back in the spotlight. But this time, it’s not just for the hundreds of leaked sex tapes that shocked the world last year.
Engonga, a nephew of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema and a senior member of the ruling Democratic Party, is currently standing trial in Malabo over multiple corruption charges. Despite viral claims on social media that he has already been sentenced to 18 years in prison, no formal sentence has yet been issued. However, the National Prosecutor’s Office has requested an 18-year prison term, along with hefty financial penalties and a lifetime ban from public office.
A Scandal That Exploded Online
In November 2024, over 300 explicit videos of Engonga with different women surfaced online, reportedly uncovered during a government-led corruption investigation. The tapes were found on his personal computer and quickly went viral—turning the then-anti-financial crimes czar into a global scandal.
The revelations led to his dismissal from ANIF, citing “professional misconduct” and personal behaviour incompatible with public office. He was arrested shortly after and has since been held at Black Beach Prison—a facility infamous for its harsh conditions.
The current case against Engonga is part of a broader corruption probe known as the “Treasury Affair,” targeting former officials of the Ministry of Finance’s Directorate of Insurance and Reinsurance.
Engonga is accused of:
- Embezzlement (8 years requested)
- Illicit enrichment (4 years, 5 months requested)
- Abuse of office (6 years, 1 day requested)
Prosecutors allege he and other co-defendants diverted over 1 billion XAF (about $1.5 million) from insurance contributions for personal use between 2012 and 2024.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office is also demanding that Engonga pay over 910 million CFA francs in fines and damages, and that he be barred from holding any public office for the duration of the sentence.
Still on Trial — Not Yet Sentenced
Despite a viral X (formerly Twitter) post on July 2 claiming that Baltasar Engonga had been sentenced to 18 years, he remains on trial, and no final verdict has been delivered as of July 3.
Social media reactions to the post have ranged from ridicule to outrage. One user asked, “18 years for just using what God gave him?”—a nod to the explicit content—while others demanded life imprisonment. Yet legal experts stress that the charges are financial in nature, not related to the sex tapes, which remain a damning footnote in an already scandal-ridden case.
The confusion may stem from misleading headlines and content circulating on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, many of which misreported the prosecutor’s request as a final judgment.
In court, Engonga claimed his office had no formal budget and said he had to divert insurance contributions to cover operational and travel expenses. He admitted to using public funds without proper allocation, blaming delayed remittances from insurance companies and bureaucratic bottlenecks.
“The Insurance and Reinsurance Division could make up to 25 trips a year,” he explained. “When the funds weren’t available, we turned to the government or redirected available resources.”
Engonga is not alone in the dock. Other top officials, including Carmelo Julio Matogo Ndong, Florentina Iganga Inandji, and Saturnina Sereijo Esua, are also facing charges tied to the Treasury Affair.
Together, they are accused of abusing their positions, mismanaging funds, and enriching themselves at the expense of the state. The court proceedings, which began on June 30, 2025, are ongoing, with the final verdict expected in the coming weeks.
Despite widespread reports, Baltasar Engonga has not been sentenced to 18 years in prison—at least, not yet. The 18-year term is a recommendation from the prosecution, not a final judgment. Until the Malabo court rules, he remains legally presumed innocent, albeit in custody.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Who: Baltasar Engonga, former Financial Crimes Director and presidential relative
- Why: Accused of embezzlement, illicit enrichment, and abuse of office
- What’s Viral: Claims of an 18-year sentence following leaked sex tapes
- Reality Check: He is still on trial; sentence not yet issued
- Requested Sentence: 18 years in prison + 910M CFA fine + public office ban
- In Custody Since: September 2024, held at Black Beach Prison
- Court: Bioko Norte Provincial Court, Malabo
As the world waits to see whether the flamboyant, scandal-plagued official will spend nearly two decades behind bars, one thing is clear: Equatorial Guinea’s political elite is under rare public scrutiny—and the public isn’t looking away.
