Baltasar Engonga slapped with 8 years imprisonment
Baltasar Engonga slapped with 8 years imprisonment over embezzlement of funds
The Bioko Provincial Tribunal delivered the ruling on Wednesday, also imposing a fine of Sh28 million ($220,000).
Judges found Engonga guilty of diverting public funds through fraudulent travel claims and irregular expenses while serving as head of the National Financial Investigation Agency (NFIA).
Prosecutors had sought an 18-year sentence on charges of embezzlement, abuse of office and illicit enrichment, alleging damages exceeding 910 million CFA francs.
The judges, however, limited the conviction to embezzlement alone, resulting in the reduced penalty. Five other senior officials were also convicted in connection with the case.
Known by his nickname “Bello,” Engonga was once considered among the most influential figures in government, wielding authority through his NFIA post and family connections.
His downfall began late last year after hundreds of explicit sex videos allegedly recorded by him surfaced online.
The footage, which appeared to involve women linked to senior officials, spread widely on social media and embarrassed the ruling elite.
While the scandal dominated public debate, the leaked recordings were not part of the charges in court. Instead, Wednesday’s verdict centered solely on financial misconduct.
The ruling marks a rare instance of a member of the powerful Obiang family facing legal punishment.
