An Equatorial Guinean former top financial official who went viral last November for explicit sex tapes involving multiple women is back in the spotlight — this time for alleged large-scale financial fraud.
On 7 November 2024, PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr. Engonga was dismissed as Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF) for alleged professional misconduct and behaviour deemed unfit for public office. According to Revista Real Equatorial Guinea (RREG), he has since been detained on embezzlement charges.
Further reports by Cameroon Concord confirm that Mr. Engonga’s trial, alongside other defendants, began on 30 June at the Bioko Norte Provincial Court in Malabo. The case revolves around a sweeping corruption scheme within the Ministry of Finance.
Others standing trial with Mr. Engonga include Carmelo Julio Matogo Ndong, Ireneo Mangué Monsuy Afana, Florentina Iganga Inandji, Saturnina Sereijo Esua, Baltasar Ebang Engonga Alu, Rubén Félix Osa Nzang, Rolando Asumu Ndong Oye, and Juan Manuel Afugu Mbomio. They face charges of embezzling public funds, misappropriating state resources, and abusing official positions.
Investigations by the General Directorate of Banking, Insurance, and Reinsurance of the Ministry of Finance allege that the accused diverted over 1 billion CFA francs (XAF) across 12 years. According to prosecutors, insurance company contributions meant for public benefit were instead siphoned for personal use.
In court, the prosecution demanded an eight-year prison term for Mr. Engonga for embezzlement, six years and one day for abuse of office, and four years and five months for illicit enrichment — totaling over 18 years behind bars. Prosecutors also want him to repay 910.7 million XAF in damages to the state.
Appearing before the court on 1 July, Mr. Engonga argued that his directorate never received a direct budget allocation from the ministry, aside from general travel expenses. He admitted to diverting insurance contributions to cover management trips, blaming late remittances by insurance companies for pushing him to seek extra funds from the Ministry of Finance.
“The insurance companies had payment difficulties, and when a trip had to be made, we turned to the government,” Engonga told the court, adding that the Insurance and Reinsurance Division alone made up to 25 trips yearly.
While the scandal’s viral sex tapes initially rocked Equatorial Guinea’s public service image last year, it is this multi-billion embezzlement trial that now threatens to seal Mr. Engonga’s fate.
The court proceedings continue in Malabo, with the nation watching to see if the once-powerful financial czar and his co-defendants will be held to account.
