Malabo, Equatorial Guinea — Baltasar Ebang Engonga, the former head of Equatorial Guinea’s National Agency for Financial Investigation (ANIF) is currently on trial for a range of financial crimes. The accused is also the nephew of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema. Prosecutors have requested an 18-year prison sentence, alongside substantial financial penalties and a ban from public office.
Corruption Charges at the Center of the Trial
Engonga, once responsible for combating financial crime in the Central African nation, was arrested in October 2024 and remains in detention at Black Beach Prison in Malabo. His trial began in late June 2025 and is ongoing.
Prosecutors have accused Engonga of embezzlement of public funds, unlawful enrichment, and abuse of power during his tenure at ANIF. They are requesting:
- 8 years for embezzlement,
- 4 years and 5 months for illicit enrichment,
- 6 years and 1 day for abuse of authority,
- A fine of 910 million CFA francs,
- A ban on holding public office.
“This case involves serious breaches of public trust,” a spokesperson for the prosecution told local reporters outside the courtroom. “The requested penalties reflect the gravity of the financial misconduct alleged.”
Sex Tape Scandal Sparks Separate Legal Concerns
The trial has unfolded amid a broader scandal involving the alleged discovery of hundreds of sexually explicit videos featuring Engonga and various women, some reportedly well-known in Equatorial Guinea. The videos, which circulated on social media following his arrest, have not been included in the current corruption trial.
Engonga was dismissed from office in November 2024, with the presidency citing “inappropriate family and social conduct” in an official statement. While not currently part of this trial, authorities have indicated that additional charges may be considered in relation to potential public health risks. These are likely to include the non-disclosure of sexually transmitted diseases.
Legal Proceedings Still Underway
Despite social media reports claiming Engonga has already been sentenced, fact-checkers and local legal sources confirm that the trial is still in progress. A verdict and sentencing have not yet been issued.
According to Dubawa, a West African fact-checking platform, “Baltasar Engonga is currently standing trial. He has not been sentenced. The 18-year term being reported is the sentence proposed by prosecutors, not the court’s decision.”
Context and Implications
The trial of a senior figure so closely tied to Equatorial Guinea’s ruling family is a rare development in a country frequently criticised by international observers for a lack of transparency and accountability in governance.
Observers say the outcome of this case could further test the judiciary’s independence and may influence public perception of the government’s anti-corruption efforts.
The court has not yet announced when a verdict is expected.
