National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Alimi Micheal
A top Equatorial Guinean official, Baltasar Engonga, Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), has been arrested after allegedly recording more than 400 intimate videos with the wives of high-profile figures in the country, stirring up a significant scandal.
The shocking revelations surfaced during an ongoing fraud investigation into Engonga, which led authorities to search his residence and office.
During the search, ANIF officials reportedly found several CDs containing explicit videos, some involving wives of influential figures, including the President’s sister, the Director General of Police’s wife, and nearly 20 ministers’ spouses.
Local media, Ahora EG, reported that the scandal broke last October and has since dominated public discourse in Equatorial Guinea.
Engonga, popularly known as “Bello,” is said to have filmed these encounters with the consent of the women involved.
“The most shocking part is that some scenes were filmed in his office, with the national flag in the background,” the report highlighted, adding, “This incident has tainted the image of the country, pushing the government to take strong measures.”
Addressing the scandal, Equatorial Guinea’s Attorney General, Nzang Nguema, stated, “While the videos suggest consensual relations, such acts in official settings compromise public trust. The law here does not criminalize consensual relations unless there’s coercion or violence.”
He further warned of potential health risks from unprotected encounters, stating, “The risk of spreading contagious diseases makes this case even more serious.”
The government has since responded with firm action, suspending all officials known to have engaged in sexual relations within government offices.
Vice President Nguema Mangue condemned the actions in a social media post, stating, “Ethics and respect are fundamental in our administration. We will not tolerate behaviors that undermine public trust.”
The scandal has not only shaken the political sphere but has also prompted discussions on public conduct and the expected behavior of officials in Equatorial Guinea.
