Equatorial Guinea Official Faces Possible Prosecution Over STD Allegations Amid Leaked Video Scandal

 

Equatorial Guinea’s top prosecutor, Anatolio Nzang Nguema, has announced potential legal action against Baltasar Ebang Engonga, a senior government official, if medical examinations confirm he has a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Engonga, director of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF) and the son of a prominent government figure, could face prosecution for "offences against public health."

This development follows a social media scandal involving the leak of hundreds of explicit videos allegedly showing Engonga with multiple women, including spouses of influential officials. Some of these videos were reportedly filmed in Engonga’s office within the finance ministry, creating widespread backlash and government intervention aimed at halting the spread of the footage online. The videos, which first circulated via WhatsApp before spreading across larger platforms, have garnered significant public attention due to Engonga’s high-profile role.

Responding to the scandal, Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue issued an order suspending any civil servants engaged in sexual acts within government offices. In a statement on X, the Vice President emphasized that such behaviors violate public conduct and ethics laws.

Last week, Obiang gave Equatorial Guinea’s telecommunications ministry and phone providers a 24-hour deadline to curb the circulation of explicit videos on social media, stating, “As the government, we cannot continue to see families destroyed.”

Engonga, known as "Bello," is reportedly being held at Malabo's Black Beach prison on separate embezzlement charges. The video leaks have led to government-imposed internet restrictions aimed at limiting access to multimedia content. Connectivity and access to social media platforms have been disrupted as part of these measures.

Amid speculations that further leaks involving other officials may emerge, public scrutiny remains high. Authorities continue to monitor social media activity closely, as discussions and rumors persist.