A nephew of Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, Baltasar Ebang Engonga, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for embezzlement, marking a dramatic fall from grace for the once-powerful official.
Engonga, nicknamed “Bello” for his good looks, was the former head of the National Financial Investigation Agency. A court ruled that he had diverted public funds for personal use, alongside five other officials who allegedly misappropriated money meant for travel allowances ranging from $9,000 to $220,000.
His case drew international attention last year when sex tapes allegedly involving him were leaked online. The scandal erupted while he was in detention on charges of funneling millions into secret offshore accounts in the Cayman Islands. Many of the leaked videos appeared to show him with women connected to the country’s political elite, further fuelling controversy.
The videos’ authenticity was never confirmed, but suspicion fell on security forces, who had seized his phones and computers during the investigation. Observers suggested the leak may have been an orchestrated effort to tarnish Engonga’s image and eliminate any possibility of him emerging as a future presidential contender.
President Obiang, the world’s longest-serving leader since taking power in 1979, has instead positioned his son, Teodoro Obiang Mangue, as vice-president and likely successor.
Engonga, once tasked with investigating money laundering and financial crimes, ironically found himself behind bars in Black Beach Prison in the capital, Malabo.
In addition to his prison term, the court imposed a $220,000 fine, according to Supreme Court press director Hilario Mitogo, who confirmed the ruling to journalists via WhatsApp.
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