From Anti-Corruption To Scandal: Ex-Graft Czar Engonga Faces 18 Years Over 400 Leaked S3xtapes

Baltasar Engonga, the former Director-General of Equatorial Guinea’s National Financial Investigation Agency, is currently on trial in Malabo, where he faces up to 18 years in prison on charges of corruption and abuse of office—an explosive case that has rocked the country’s political establishment.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Engonga, once the face of Equatorial Guinea’s anti-corruption efforts, has been held at the notorious Black Beach Prison since September 2024. He is accused of embezzling public funds, illicit enrichment, and abusing his position while serving as Director General of Insurance and Reinsurance from 2015 to 2020.

At a court hearing on Monday, prosecutors called for a total sentence of 18 years, broken down as follows:

• 8 years for embezzlement,

• 4 years and 5 months for unlawful enrichment,

• 6 years and 1 day for abuse of office.

In addition, Engonga may be fined over 910 million CFA francs (approximately $1.5 million or ₦2.2 billion) and barred from holding public office throughout his incarceration.

Authorities claim Engonga orchestrated an elaborate financial scheme to divert state resources for personal benefit, undermining vital development programs across the public sector.

A S3xtape Scandal That Stunned the Nation

In a dramatic twist that has captivated citizens and intensified media coverage, authorities reportedly discovered over 400 s3xtapes during searches of Engonga’s home and office. According to reports from Le Bled Parle, the tapes—stored on CDs and hard drives—allegedly involve the wives of top government officials, senior security personnel, and influential political figures.

Investigators confirmed the tapes were recorded with the participants’ consent, but many have since leaked online, sparking widespread outrage, demands for deeper investigations, and embarrassment within Equatorial Guinea’s ruling elite.

A Syndicate on Trial

Engonga is not standing trial alone. He is joined by six other high-profile former officials, including Carmelo Julio Matogo Ndong and Florentina Iganga Iñandji, all alleged members of a powerful graft ring that prosecutors say looted public funds on a massive scale.

Photos from the courtroom show Engonga seated among fellow defendants as the trial continues to draw intense scrutiny both nationally and internationally.

A Turning Point for Equatorial Guinea?

The high-stakes trial has renewed calls for reform in Equatorial Guinea’s governance and anti-corruption systems. Civil society organizations and citizens alike are demanding transparency, accountability, and a firm commitment to ending entrenched corruption.

As defence lawyers prepare to present their case, the proceedings are expected to continue throughout the week, with the nation—and the world—watching closely to see whether justice will finally prevail in one of Equatorial Guinea’s most sensational corruption trials to date.