Baltasar Engonga: Equatorial Guinea govt sacks official over leaked videos, names successor

Equatorial Guinea’s President, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, has appointed Zenón Obiang Obiang Avomo as the new Director General of the National Agency for Financial Investigation (ANIF), following the dismissal of Baltasar Ebang Engonga due to a major scandal.

Engonga, who was removed for “irregularities in the exercise of his functions” and “inappropriate conduct,” had been involved in a shocking sex scandal. The government issued Decree number 118/2024, dated November 4, citing his involvement in personal misconduct, which was seen as incompatible with his public duties.

Engonga, a renowned economist, was arrested after over 400 explicit videos were found, allegedly showing him recording private moments with the wives of prominent Equatoguinean officials, including ministers and police officers. The discovery was made during a routine investigation by ANIF into financial irregularities in which Engonga was implicated.

Zenón Obiang Obiang Avomo, a law graduate from the National University of Equatorial Guinea (UNGE), takes over the role. He brings extensive experience from previous positions in the country’s Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Mines, Industry, and Energy.

In the wake of the scandal, the government has taken further steps to prevent future misconduct by introducing stricter oversight, including installing surveillance cameras in all state offices to ensure adherence to ethical standards.