Equatorial Guinea Enforces WhatsApp Limitations, Suspends Officials, and Implements CCTV in Wake of Sex Tape Scandal

Equatorial Guinea Government Official Arrested for Recording Over 400 Sextapes Involving Spouses and Relatives of High-Profile Figures

Baltasar Ebang Engonga

In a shocking scandal, the Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF) in Equatorial Guinea, Baltasar Ebang Engonga, has been arrested following the discovery of over 400 intimate videos involving himself and several women, including the wives of high-profile individuals.

This revelation surfaced amid an unrelated fraud investigation against the 54-year-old official, leading ANIF authorities to search his office and residence, where they found a trove of CDs containing explicit footage.

Among those implicated in these recordings are the wives of powerful figures such as government ministers, police officials, and even the sister of the nation’s president. Some of the footage reportedly includes Engonga’s own brother’s wife and his cousin. Local media outlet Ahora EG reports that the scandal, which has caused widespread media frenzy, dates back to October and has been described as unprecedented in Equatorial Guinea’s history. Engonga, widely known as “Bello,” allegedly recorded these encounters with the women’s consent, some of whom are prominent single women in Equatorial Guinea, while others are married to influential individuals. Notably, the recordings took place in various locations, including his personal office at the Ministry of Finance, with one video even featuring the national flag in the background. Since then, the explicit content has leaked online, sparking public outrage and tarnishing the country’s image.

Reacting to the scandal, the government of Equatorial Guinea has swiftly suspended all public officials found to have engaged in sexual acts within ministry offices. This action is part of a broader “zero tolerance” stance on conduct deemed inappropriate for public officials. Vice President Nguema Mangue stressed in a statement on social media that such actions are a breach of both the Code of Conduct and Public Ethics Law, highlighting the need for integrity and respect in government roles.

The Attorney General, Nzang Nguema, clarified that while consensual relations are not criminalized under the law, the government is emphasizing the importance of victims feeling safe to report cases of coercion or assault. Nguema also warned of potential health risks to the community arising from unprotected encounters and highlighted the need for transparency in reporting.

This scandal has prompted the government to enforce stricter disciplinary measures to protect the ethics and integrity of its public administration. The Vice President’s public response reflects the government’s commitment to restoring trust by upholding ethical standards and safeguarding citizens’ confidence in public institutions.