Equatorial Guinea Fires Anti-Graft Chief Linked To Sex Tape Scandal
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Equatorial Guinea’s President, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, has dismissed Baltasar Ebang Engonga, the Director General of the National Agency for Financial Investigation (ANIF), following a sex scandal that has rocked the nation’s leadership.
The President’s decision, revealed in a presidential decree dated November 4, 2024, comes after Engonga’s arrest over the discovery of over 400 explicit videos featuring the wives and relatives of high-ranking officials.
The tapes, allegedly filmed with the women’s consent, were uncovered during an internal investigation into financial irregularities linked to Engonga’s office. The videos, which were later leaked online, caused public outrage and embarrassment for the government.
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In his place, Zenón Obiang Obiang Avomo has been appointed as the new head of ANIF. Avomo, a law graduate from the National University of Equatorial Guinea, has previously held several senior positions in the government, including roles within the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Mines, Industry, and Energy.
The scandal first came to light after ANIF officials, conducting an impromptu search for evidence of financial misconduct, stumbled upon the explicit footage.
The tapes featured several women, including the wives of ministers and police officials, as well as the sister of the President.
In light of the gravity of the revelations, the government has swiftly acted to introduce new measures aimed at preventing similar ethical breaches in the future.
As part of its response, the government has installed surveillance cameras across all state offices to monitor public servants’ behavior.
This move comes amid an ongoing investigation into the extent of Engonga’s activities and potential complicity among other public officials.
“The government has shown zero tolerance for such misconduct,” said a spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice. “We are committed to upholding ethical standards in public service and ensuring accountability at all levels of governance.”
