Equatorial Guinea’s Baltasar jailed for 8 years for embezzlement following sex-tape scandal.

A provincial court in Equatorial Guinea has sentenced senior government official Baltasar “Bello” Ebang Engonga to eight years in prison for embezzlement, marking a dramatic turn in a case that has dominated national headlines.

Engonga, the former head of the country’s financial-investigations unit, was also fined about $220,000 after the Bioko Norte tribunal found he misappropriated state travel funds for personal use, according to the Supreme Court’s press office.

Engonga first came under public scrutiny in late 2024 when several sex tapes—some allegedly filmed in a government office—surfaced online. The scandal triggered outrage among citizens, forced a government clampdown on misconduct within state institutions, and raised questions about accountability in the oil-rich nation.

Wednesday’s ruling is seen as one of the most high-profile outcomes of the scandal, which drew both regional and international attention.

Analysts say the case has become a flashpoint in broader debates about corruption, abuse of office, and the challenges of governance in Equatorial Guinea in the digital age.