Baltasar from Equatorial Guinea taken into custody

The former director general of Equatorial Guinea's National Financial Investigation Agency, Baltasar Engonga, has been detained at Black Beach Prison in Malabo. Saturday PUNCH has learned.

The embattled former anti-corruption chief was arrested days ago for allegedly recording over 400 sex videos involving the wives of prominent figures in the country.

This scandal came to light during a fraud investigation against the 54-year-old economist, which led to an impromptu search of his home and office by ANIF officers, who reportedly discovered several CDs revealing his sexual encounters with various married women.

When the footage leaked online and caused media uproar, Equatorial Guinea's president, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, fired Engonga.

According to Decree No. 118/2024 of November 4, the dismissal was due to “irregularities in the performance of his duties and inappropriate family and social behavior in the performance of public duties.”

On Friday, a viral video surfaced on social media showing Engonga with both hands and legs shackled during a court appearance.

French online blog Afrikmatin confirmed the situation and reported that Engonga, who was officially removed from office on November 6, 2024, was subsequently chained and transferred to Malabo Central Prison. He is accused of corruption and embezzlement.

In addition, online newspaper UGStandard reported that the sex videos began circulating on social networks while Engonga was already being held at the notorious Black Beach prison in Malabo on charges of embezzling public funds, state television TVGE reported.

In a fact-checking report released on Wednesday, Dubawa confirmed that Engonga was indeed taken into custody on corruption charges and is currently being held at Black Beach Prison.