The former Director General of Equatorial Guinea’s National Financial Investigation Agency, Baltasar Engonga, is now facing up to 18 years behind bars after standing trial in Malabo for serious corruption-related offenses.
Engonga, who has been incarcerated at Black Beach Prison since September 2024, is accused of orchestrating a complex embezzlement scheme during his tenure at the Directorate General of Insurance and Reinsurance between 2015 and 2020.
His case is not linked to the over 400 explicit tapes involving influential women that were later uncovered in his personal space.
Prosecutors alleged on Monday that Engonga masterminded a systematic diversion of state funds for personal enrichment.
The prosecution is seeking multiple penalties: eight years for the misappropriation of public resources, four years and five months for illicit wealth accumulation, and another six years and one day for abuse of office.
He could also face a hefty fine of over 910 million CFA francs (nearly $1.5 million) and be banned from holding public office during his sentence.
The 54-year-old former official is not alone. At least six other ex-government figures are standing trial alongside him, including Carmelo Julio Matogo Ndong, Ireneo Mangue Monsuy Afana, and Florentina Iganga Iñandji—each allegedly part of a broad corruption network.
The trial is expected to run for three days, with defense lawyers currently presenting their cases.
Meanwhile, Engonga remains at the center of a separate scandal involving hundreds of intimate videos allegedly featuring him with spouses of high-profile figures, including the President’s sister and the wives of several ministers.
These videos were reportedly found in his office and home and have since been leaked online, drawing massive public outrage.