Equatorial Guinea Official Arrested Over 400 Sextapes Involving VIPs’ Wives and Sisters

Baltasar Engonga, the Director General of Equatorial Guinea’s National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), has been arrested on charges related to the recording of over 400 sextapes involving the wives of prominent figures in the country.

The scandal first came to light during a fraud investigation into the 54-year-old economist, which led to the unannounced search of his house and office by ANIF officials. During the search, multiple CDs were found, containing explicit videos of Engonga’s sexual encounters with various married women.

The tapes reportedly feature high-profile individuals, including the wives of several government officials—among them his brother’s wife, his cousin, the sister of the President of Equatorial Guinea, the wife of the Director General of Police, and the wives of approximately 20 ministers. These videos, which were recorded with the women’s consent, have since been leaked online, sparking a public uproar.

Local media outlet Ahora EG reported that the scandal, which began circulating last October, is unprecedented in Equatorial Guinea’s history. Engonga, widely known as “Bello,” allegedly filmed his sexual encounters with various women, some of whom were married, and has become the subject of intense public scrutiny.

One particularly disturbing detail noted in the reports is that some of the explicit footage was filmed in Engonga’s office, including one scene where he is seen engaging in intimate relations next to the National Flag. According to the government, this scandal is a direct response to actions that have damaged the country’s image. As a result, the Executive has implemented new measures to set a precedent for the behavior expected from public officials.

In response to the viral videos, the government stressed that while the women involved appeared to have consented to the recordings, the law does not classify consensual sex as a crime unless coercion or violence is proven. The Attorney General of Equatorial Guinea, Nzang Nguema, also highlighted the potential health risks associated with these acts, particularly the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

Ngeuma emphasized the importance of encouraging victims to report any form of sexual abuse or assault. He pointed out that while the footage does not appear to depict coercion, the broader context of potential harm—including public health concerns—cannot be overlooked.

In the wake of the scandal, Equatorial Guinea’s government has taken swift action, suspending all officials found to have engaged in sexual activities within government offices. This move is in line with the country’s “zero tolerance” policy toward behavior that undermines the integrity of public service.

Vice President Nguema Mangue reiterated that such actions constitute a flagrant violation of the country’s Code of Conduct and Public Ethics Law. He emphasized on X (formerly Twitter) that “ethics and respect are fundamental in our Administration” and vowed to not tolerate any conduct that erodes public trust.