Balthazar Engonga Ebang, the former Director-General of Equatorial Guinea’s National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), has been sentenced to 18 years in prison. He was found guilty of embezzling public funds, illicit enrichment, and abuse of power.
Engonga first gained public attention in late 2024 when videos of him went viral.These videos allegedly showed him in intimate situations with individuals linked to political figures. The scandal shocked the country and led to his dismissal from office in November 2024.
Soon after, government investigators began probing his financial activities. The case moved quickly to trial. On June 30, 2025, Engonga appeared in court. After three days of hearings, the court found him guilty of:
- Embezzlement – 8 years
- Illicit enrichment – 4 years and 5 months
- Abuse of power – 6 years and 1 day
In total, the sentence adds up to 18 years behind bars. He was also fined an amount equal to the funds he embezzled, 910 million CFA francs, roughly $1.5 million USD.In addition to his prison sentence, Engonga is banned from holding any public position during his time in jail. He has already been transferred to Black Beach Prison in Malabo.
Many people have shared their thoughts online. Some expressed outrage, while others saw the punishment as fair justice.
One user posted, “He was found guilty of embezzling over 1 billion francs. His own share was more than 900 million.” Another wrote, “From bedroom scandal to prison cell, that’s karma.”
Engonga’s legal team says the trial was rushed and unfair. They believe the sentence was influenced by the scandal, not just the evidence. They plan to appeal the ruling in a higher court.
Authorities may take more steps to recover the stolen funds. Meanwhile, this case has raised questions about corruption in Equatorial Guinea. Some hope it will lead to real reform in how public offices are managed.
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