Baltasar Ebang Engonga, Director General of Equatorial Guinea’s National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), has addressed the public for the first time following a scandal involving explicit videos allegedly showing him engaged in sexual acts within his office. Engonga, also a relative of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, made a Facebook post featuring a photo of himself with family, captioned “Family is everything,” and expressed feeling “sad,” although he has not directly commented on the allegations.
The scandal has caused significant public outrage in Equatorial Guinea, with Vice-President Teodoro Obiang Mangue issuing a warning about “severe measures” against civil servants involved in such acts while at work. Deeming it a “flagrant violation of the code of conduct,” Mangue announced that officials found engaging in sexual activities on government premises would face immediate suspension.
In response to the incident, the vice-president has ordered surveillance cameras to be installed in key government buildings, including courts and ministry offices, to deter any “indecent and illicit acts.” A formal statement from the vice-president’s office noted that the measures were implemented after the viral video content “denigrated the image of the country.” Mangue also recommended a full investigation into the case.
The explicit videos, reportedly featuring Engonga with multiple women, including the spouses of prominent officials, have fueled further controversy, especially as the content began circulating online shortly after Engonga was detained on separate corruption charges. State television TVGE reported that telecom companies were directed to curb the spread of the footage, leading to noticeable disruptions in internet downloads and social media use within the country, as confirmed by locals.
Equatorial Guinea’s Chief Prosecutor, Anatolio Nzang Nguema, stated that if Engonga were to test positive for a sexually transmitted disease, he could face additional charges for compromising public health. Known locally as “Bello,” a nickname derived from the Spanish word for “beautiful,” Engonga’s personal life has become a focal point in the ongoing scandal.
Engonga’s role as head of the National Financial Investigation Agency, where he is responsible for investigating financial crimes, has added a layer of complexity to the situation, as concerns grow over the boundaries of personal and public responsibilities among high-ranking officials.
As the investigation progresses and newly mandated surveillance measures are put into effect, Equatorial Guinea continues to closely monitor developments, anticipating further government action as this high-profile scandal unfolds.
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