Baltasar Engonga, the former director-general of Equatorial Guinea’s National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), is now at the center of a major corruption trial that has gripped public attention across the continent. Known internationally following a viral scandal in 2024 involving leaked private videos, Engonga is facing charges that could land him in prison for more than 18 years.
The case officially kicked off on June 30 and has since attracted widespread media and public interest. Prosecutors allege that Engonga embezzled over 1 billion CFA francs from government coffers during his time in office. Of this amount, approximately 910 million CFA francs were reportedly diverted for personal use, with a large portion allegedly spent on luxury indulgences and lavish relationships.
The trial has unveiled deeper layers of financial misconduct. Engonga is also being scrutinized for his role in managing a state-owned enterprise under the Ministry of Finance. His leadership at the institution is under question, with claims that it was used as a channel to funnel public funds into private hands.
This case is not unfolding in isolation. Several other former senior government officials are also on trial, including Carmelo Julio Matogo Ndong, Ireneo Mangue Monsuy Afana, and Florentina Iganga Iñandji. Each faces similar allegations of collaborating in a sophisticated scheme that allegedly allowed top-tier officials to siphon off public funds over an extended period.
The prosecution has outlined how Engonga allegedly orchestrated a network of corrupt dealings within the Directorate General of Administrative Reforms (DGAR). The claim is that this network enabled illegal transfers and mismanagement of funds, all orchestrated under the guise of bureaucratic operations.
Despite the seriousness of the charges, the defence team has strongly pushed back, labeling the trial as a politically charged attack rather than a straightforward legal proceeding. Lawyers have questioned the timing of the investigation and the credibility of the evidence presented in court. They maintain that Engonga is being used as a scapegoat to settle political scores.
As the three-day trial proceeds, reactions from the public have been diverse and often emotionally charged. Many believe that the case is about more than just financial misconduct, with some implying that Engonga’s downfall is linked to the scandal that made him a household name online in 2024.
Social media has exploded with commentary. Some users have sarcastically referred to him as the “minister of enjoyment,” alluding to his alleged lifestyle funded by public resources. Others have expressed cynicism about the motives behind the trial, while some called for strict punishment, insisting that his actions betrayed the public trust.
Despite the defence’s insistence that the accusations are politically motivated, the gravity of the charges cannot be ignored. With six other high-ranking former officials also facing prosecution, the trial could signal a broader push within Equatorial Guinea to clamp down on corruption—or, as critics argue, a show of power disguised as justice.
A verdict is expected soon, and all eyes are on the courtroom. Whether Baltasar Engonga is found guilty or walks free, the outcome is certain to leave a lasting mark on the nation’s political and judicial landscape.
