A high-ranking Equatorial Guinean official, Baltasar Ebang Engonga, has been dismissed following the release of explicit videos showing him in intimate encounters with multiple women, including spouses of prominent government figures. The videos, some reportedly filmed within his finance ministry office, went viral online, sparking a public outcry and igniting debate across social media.
Ebang Engonga, the head of the National Financial Investigation Agency and a relative of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, has been removed from his position by presidential decree. The explicit footage emerged while he was detained at Malabo’s notorious Black Beach prison, where he faced separate charges of alleged misappropriation of public funds. The recordings quickly gained attention, with the hashtag #BaltasarEbangEngonga trending alongside major global news topics.
Efforts by Equatorial Guinea’s telecommunications authorities to contain the spread of the videos reportedly involved instructions to internet providers and social media platforms to limit access to the content. Despite these measures, the scandal has inspired parodies, musical tributes, and even discussions in foreign parliaments, including Kenya’s.
One of Engonga’s partners, speaking anonymously on state broadcaster TVGE, expressed shock, stating she had consented to the filming but believed the footage had been “immediately erased.” She questioned why such videos were retained and ultimately leaked, saying the incident had left her feeling “humiliated.”
Nicknamed “Bello” for his looks, Ebang Engonga comes from a distinguished family line—his father, Baltasar Engonga Edjo, serves as head of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community Commission. The incident has cast a spotlight on the country’s political elite, stirring widespread debate and condemnation.
Chief prosecutor Anatolio Nzang Nguema indicated that Ebang Engonga may face additional charges. Medical examinations are reportedly underway to determine if he poses a risk to “public health” through the transmission of any sexually transmitted infections, which could lead to further legal action.
The fallout from this scandal marks a significant moment in Equatorial Guinea, where President Obiang, in power since 1979, has maintained strict control over public officials and their conduct. This unprecedented incident has now shifted global attention to the small West African nation, putting its political class under intense scrutiny.
By: GraphicOnline
