Baltasar Engonga has been dismissed as director-general of Equatorial Guinea’s National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF) following the online leak of alleged sex videos involving him with multiple women.
Engonga reportedly appeared in around 400 videos with various women, some of whom are linked to high-profile figures in the country. The videos were reportedly discovered on his computer during a fraud investigation when officials searched his home and office.
President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo issued a dismissal order for Engonga, who is the son of Baltasar Edjo, the current president of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), according to Real Equatorial Guinea.
The dismissal, stated in Decree No. 118/2024 dated November 4, cites Engonga’s alleged misconduct and behaviour deemed incompatible with the ethics of public office.
In a statement shared on Facebook, First Lady Constancia Obiang expressed outrage over the scandal during a meeting with Prime Minister Manuel Nsue, who oversees administrative coordination. Mrs Obiang urged the government to take swift action to protect the dignity of Equatoguinean women and their digital privacy.
She emphasized that, while the government has made strides in promoting gender equality, proactive measures are essential to prevent similar incidents and ensure a respectful environment for women.
Prime Minister Nsue indicated that the government is considering stricter privacy laws in response to the scandal, recognizing its impact on the nation’s public image and gender equality efforts.
“The case of Baltasar Ebang Engonga has opened up a broader conversation about privacy in the digital era and the role of institutions in protecting fundamental rights,” he stated, noting that the government will seek a comprehensive approach, blending legislation, education, and awareness to curb inappropriate online content.
This week, the government imposed WhatsApp restrictions, limiting video circulation to WiFi connections only, and announced plans to install surveillance cameras in all state agency offices.
Meanwhile, Equatorial Guinea’s chief prosecutor, Anatolio Nguema, assured citizens that if medical tests confirm the 54-year-old Engonga has a sexually transmitted disease, he will face charges for endangering public health.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
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