The Director General of Equatorial Guinea’s National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), Baltasar Engonga, has been arrested following the discovery of over 400 sextapes allegedly involving the wives of prominent figures in the country. Engonga, a 54-year-old economist, faces intense scrutiny as details of his encounters with married women, including close family members of government officials, have sparked a public scandal and calls for sweeping reforms.

The scandal surfaced during a routine fraud investigation into Engonga’s activities, which led to an impromptu search of his office and residence by ANIF officials. Authorities stumbled upon multiple CDs that reportedly documented Engonga’s sexual relationships with several women, many of whom were married to powerful individuals within the nation. Among those allegedly implicated in the tapes are the wife of Engonga’s brother, a cousin, the sister of Equatorial Guinea’s President, the wife of the Director General of Police, and wives of approximately 20 ministers.

The local media outlet Ahora EG reports that the footage, recorded with the women’s consent, contains scenes set in various locations, including Engonga’s office and hotel rooms. Some encounters were even recorded in his work office, at times featuring the national flag in the background. The scandal has erupted on social media, with leaked videos generating shockwaves across the nation and drawing condemnation from the public and the government alike.

The Attorney General, Nzang Nguema, issued a statement clarifying that consensual relations are not criminal unless evidence of coercion or violence is established. However, Nguema warned of potential public health risks, citing the possible spread of sexually transmitted diseases as a concern. He also encouraged anyone with allegations of assault or coercion to come forward, emphasizing the need for a supportive environment for victims to report such incidents.

In response, Equatorial Guinea’s Vice President, Nguema Mangue, announced immediate disciplinary measures. All government officials implicated in inappropriate activities within ministry offices have been suspended. Mangue stressed that this decision is part of a “zero tolerance” policy aimed at preserving the integrity of the public sector, with particular emphasis on ethics and respect.

“The behaviors exposed in this scandal represent a blatant violation of our Code of Conduct and Public Ethics Law,” Mangue posted on X. “Such irresponsible actions erode citizen trust, which is the foundation of our administration.”

This unprecedented scandal, marking one of the most significant in the country’s recent history, has ignited debate around the moral conduct of public officials and reinforced calls for reform within Equatorial Guinea’s government institutions. The government has vowed to use this incident as a turning point to establish stricter ethical standards and uphold respect within the public administration sector.