Ex-Equatorial Guinea Financial Chief Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison

Baltasar Engonga Ebang, the former Director General of Equatorial Guinea’s National Agency for Financial Investigation, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for embezzling over Sh230 million (equivalent to 1 billion CFA francs) in public funds.

According to local media reports, Engonga personally diverted Sh209.3 million (910 million CFA francs) to himself, allegedly spending the money on personal luxuries, including women and other indulgences. The embezzlement occurred during his time as head of the Directorate General of Insurance and Reinsurance (DGAR) between 2015 and 2020.

The high-profile trial, which began on Monday, revealed a network of financial corruption within the agency. Prosecutors accused Engonga of orchestrating the fraudulent scheme with the help of other officials. Media outlet Le Bled Parle reported that the prosecution demanded a combined sentence of 18 years: eight years for embezzlement, four years and five months for illicit enrichment, and six years and one day for abuse of power.

In addition to the prison sentence, the court imposed a fine of over Sh209.3 million and barred Engonga from holding any public office for the duration of his sentence.

The case has also implicated six other senior government officials, including Carmelo Julio Matogo Ndong, Ireneo Mangue Monsuy Afana, and Florentina Iganga Iñandji, all of whom are facing trial in connection with what authorities have described as a “vast network of financial corruption.”

Engonga’s reputation further deteriorated in November 2024 after dozens of explicit videos allegedly featuring him in sexual acts with over 40 women surfaced online, deepening public outrage.

Credit: TNX