Equatorial Guinea has been trending this week, and this has little to do with politics or economic developments. Instead, it is a scandal with the makings of a juicy telenovela.
Baltasar Ebang Engonga, the head of the country’s National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), is under fire—originally for fraud. But in a twist that shocked the citizens, investigators stumbled upon over 300 sex tapes that shed light into Engonga’s secret life.
In the tapes starring Engonga and a cast of high-profile romantic partners, including the President’s sister and his own relatives, the probe into financial fraud has turned into a social media frenzy.
Who is Baltasar Ebang Engonga?
Baltasar Ebang Engonga isn’t your typical public servant—he is the Director General of ANIF, a government agency in Equatorial Guinea that is tasked with investigating financial fraud and corruption.
While investigators initially looked into alleged financial misconduct, they ended up with far more than budget sheets: over 300 tapes allegedly showing Engonga’s “private meetings” with various women, some of them relatives or tied to prominent officials.
For a man whose job was to keep things above board, Engonga’s story has quickly turned into the cautionary tale of the year. With footage reportedly showing him in various settings ranging from his office—next to the national flag, no less—to hotels and even bathrooms, social media users have been having a field day, and officials are scrambling to address the fallout.
Social media fire
As soon as the news broke, memes, jokes, and heated discussions began circulating across platforms, with users expressing disbelief at the sheer audacity of the scandal.
Some joked about Engonga “putting Equatorial Guinea on the map,” while others questioned the ethics of a man in his position engaging in such affairs.
On X (formerly Twitter), posts were flooded with reactions, some humorous, others outraged. “Why would they even agree to be filmed?” one user pondered, voicing the thoughts of many baffled onlookers.
The Vice President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Nguema, added fuel to the fire with a post of his own, gently reminding public servants that their offices should be for, well, official business.
In an effort to contain the scandal, Nguema announced stricter controls to ensure government spaces are used appropriately, warning that officials caught in compromising situations would face disciplinary action. In short, Equatorial Guinea is implementing a zero-tolerance policy against “extracurricular activities” in the workplace.
Public health concerns
As the details of the scandal emerge, the Attorney General’s office, led by Anatolio Nzang Nguema, is more concerned than amused.
In addition to investigating how the tapes were leaked, officials have raised public health concerns due to Engonga’s alleged involvement with multiple partners.
The Attorney General hinted at possible health risks posed by such behavior, stating that if proven, Engonga could face charges for endangering public health. “The possibility of disease transmission makes this case even more serious,” a spokesperson for the office announced.
Nzang Nguema also noted the importance of creating a safe environment for individuals to report inappropriate conduct, adding that while consensual relations aren’t typically a crime, the number of people involved and the risk of harm elevate the matter.
“Bello” and his double life
Nicknamed “Bello,” Engonga has held his powerful ANIF role for years, and he is a married man with six children.
With his sex escapades now the subject of international gossip, Engonga’s reputation has taken a significant hit. Reports suggest that some tapes were recorded in the very ministry offices he managed, creating a surreal contrast between his public role as an anti-corruption official and his private activities.
The symbolism of this setting—engaging in affairs next to the national flag—hasn’t been lost on the public, sparking conversations on integrity and accountability within the country’s leadership.
In an effort to address the fallout, Ahora EG, a local media platform, reported that the scandal could push Equatorial Guinea’s government to re-evaluate its workplace conduct policies.
Public Reactions: Shock, Humor, and Outrage
The reactions from the public have been varied, ranging from shock to outright humor.
Here are some of the reactions we sampled:
Jim Njue: “The fact that the Equatorial Guinea officer was able to sleep with 6 out of the 8 female workers in his office is exactly why I will never wife up a career woman. I strongly believe that a woman’s money should always come from her man.”
Ofe Owerri: “Over 400 women?? This man must be compensated for putting Equatorial Guinea on the map…”
Communicator: “Forget about the women in the Equatorial Guinea sex scandal videos.. That man needs a proper mental check-up abeg.. f***ng people’s wives unprovoked like that????”
Others questioned the moral standing of those involved, comparing African leaders’ actions to the values they’re meant to uphold.