By Joan Okere with agency report
The Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency in Equatorial Guinea, Baltasar Engonga, has been arrested for allegedly recording over 400 sex tapes involving wives of prominent persons in the country.
The videos were also alleged to feature encounters with high-profile individuals, such as his brother’s wife, his cousin, the sister of the President of Equatorial Guinea, the wife of the Inspector General of Police and about 20 of the country’s ministers’ wives.
Engonga was also accused of misusing surveillance equipment for personal gain, recording over 400 intimate videos in various locations, including professional and public spaces.
The footage, discovered in his office, was said to have been recorded with consent and has since been leaked online, causing a media uproar.
In a report by a local media platform, Ahora EG, Engonga has since last October been involved in a sexual scandal unprecedented in the history of Equatorial Guinea.
The former ANIF DG better known as “Bello” had sexual relations with several women, some of them married, and filmed these intimate encounters.
The report said, “The most striking thing is that some scenes took place in his work office, including moments in which he is seen sleeping with a woman next to the National Flag. Based on this sexual scandal, the Executive has stated that the measure is a direct response to the acts that have affected the image of the country.
“With these new measures, the Government hopes to establish a clear precedent on the expected conduct of public officials in order to create a more respectful work environment in the public and private administration of Equatorial Guinea.
“For days now, erotic videos have been circulating on social media featuring Baltasar EBANG ENGONGA, better known as “Bello”, who is currently the Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF) and is currently imprisoned for alleged corruption issues.
“Baltasar EBANG ENGONGA is said to have filmed these scenes with the consent of the women themselves, which exonerates him from a possible crime of violation of integrity.
“In the videos, he is seen having unprotected sex with several women, including those married to powerful and well-known people in the country, but also with the most “diva and influential” single women in Equatorial Guinea. Some scenes take place in hotel rooms, houses, even in the protagonist’s office at the Ministry of Finance,” it added.
The Attorney General of the country, Nzang Nguema reacting to the viral sex tapes, emphasised that although the images suggest that the women involved were not forced to participate, the law does not consider consensual sexual relations to be a crime unless coercion or violence is proven.
Nguema emphasised that the risk is not only for the women involved but also for their partners and the wider community, adding, “The possibility of a contagious disease being spread through these sexual interactions makes the situation even more critical.”
He also pointed out that the onus is on victims to come forward in cases of rape or assault, highlighting the need for an environment where people feel safe and supported to report such incidents.
Equatorial Guinea decided to take action on Monday by immediately suspending all officials who have had sexual relations in the offices of the country’s ministries.
The government claimed that the move was part of its “zero tolerance” policy towards behavior that compromises the integrity of the public service.
Equatorial Guinea’s Vice President, Nguema Mangue emphasised that “ethics and respect are fundamental in our Administration,” and that irresponsible attitudes that put citizen trust at risk will not be allowed.