The Government of Equatorial Guinea has filed a lawsuit against Baltasar Engonga, the former Director General of the country’s National Financial Investigation Agency, for alleged misconduct in connection with a sex tape scandal.
The Minister of Information, Press, and Culture, Jerónimo Osa Osa, who disclosed this on behalf of the government, stated that the actions of the ex-anti-graft agency chief “violate the ethical and moral values of noble Equatorial Guinean society.”
In a public address covered by local media platform Ahora EG, the Minister announced that the Equatorial Guinean Government, through the State Attorney General’s Office, would initiate a thorough investigation into the acts committed by Engonga.
“This decision comes after several videos went viral in which Ebang Engonga is seen having sexual relations with multiple women, some of whom are married,” Ahora EG reported.
The government has consequently announced the initiation of legal proceedings against Engonga and his accomplices through the Public Prosecutor’s Office, aiming to hold them accountable before the law.
“In light of these serious events, which severely undermine family and social cohesion, and considering the negative impact that this situation has on the good image of our country, tarnishing its reputation, the government, through the Public Prosecutor’s Office, has commenced a thorough investigation to establish responsibilities at the administrative, civil, and criminal levels, given the possibility of a public health impact,” reported the government spokesperson.
The government further stated it would assess various parameters, such as the distinction between personal and private spheres, prior consent (explicit or implicit), violations of privacy, damage to individuals’ honour and prestige, and the rights of those harmed by these events, including the state itself.
Daily Trust had earlier reported that Engonga was arrested for allegedly recording over 400 sex tapes involving the wives of notable individuals in the country.
The scandal surfaced during a fraud investigation against the 54-year-old economist, resulting in an impromptu search of his house and office by ANIF officials, who discovered several CDs revealing his involvement with various married women.
The videos reportedly feature encounters with high-profile individuals, including his brother’s wife, his cousin, the sister of the President of Equatorial Guinea, the wife of the Director General of Police, and approximately 20 ministers’ wives, among others.
The footage, discovered in his personal office, is said to have been recorded with consent and has since leaked online, causing a public outcry.
It announced the suspension of officials involved in the scandal, according to a statement by the Equatorial Guinea Press and Information Office, published on the government’s website on Tuesday.