The Government of Equatorial Guinea has initiated legal action against Baltasar Engonga, the former Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), over alleged misconduct linked to a widely publicized sex tape scandal.
The government described Engonga’s actions as violating the “ethical and moral values of noble Equatorial Guinean society.”
The lawsuit was announced over the weekend by Jerónimo Osa Osa, Minister of Information, Press, and Culture, in a public address covered by local media outlet Ahora EG.
The Minister stated that the State Attorney General’s Office would conduct a thorough investigation into Engonga’s alleged misconduct.
The scandal erupted after the discovery of over 400 explicit videos in Engonga’s personal office during a fraud investigation.
The videos reportedly involve encounters with numerous high-profile women, including married individuals such as his brother’s wife, his cousin, the sister of the President of Equatorial Guinea, the wife of the Director General of Police, and about 20 ministers’ wives.
The footage, reportedly recorded with consent, has since gone viral, sparking national outrage.
In response to the scandal, the government issued an official statement on Friday condemning Engonga’s actions as a “violation of the ethical and moral values of noble Equatorial Guinean society.”
The government has initiated legal proceedings against Engonga and his accomplices through the Public Prosecutor’s Office, aiming to hold them accountable under administrative, civil, and criminal laws.
The government spokesperson emphasized that the investigation would assess the implications of the scandal, including breaches of privacy, harm to individuals’ reputations, and potential public health concerns.
“These serious events undermine family and social cohesion and negatively impact the country’s image,” the spokesperson said.
In a bid to prevent further incidents, the government has announced the installation of surveillance cameras in courts and ministries.
Additionally, officials involved in the scandal have been suspended, according to a statement by the Equatorial Guinea Press and Information Office.
Vice-President Teodoro Mangue also addressed the scandal on Tuesday, warning that any government official found engaging in sexual activities at work would face disciplinary action.
“This is a flagrant violation of the code of conduct,” Mangue stated.
