VANGUARD
The Government of Equatorial Guinea has initiated legal action against Baltasar Ebang Engonga, the former Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), following allegations of misconduct related to inappropriate conduct.
In an official statement, the government condemned the actions of the former anti-graft official, stating that they “violate the ethical and moral values of noble Equatorial Guinean society.”
Through the Minister of Information, Press, and Culture, Jerónimo Osa Osa, the government announced the lawsuit over the weekend.
Speaking to the press, Osa Osa revealed that the Attorney General’s Office would conduct a comprehensive investigation into the allegations against Engonga.
According to Ahora EG, a local news platform, “This decision comes after several videos went viral in which Ebang Engonga is seen having sexual relations with multiple women, some of whom are married.”
In an official address on Friday, the government reiterated its condemnation of Baltasar Engonga’s actions, which it described as “violations of the ethical and moral values of noble Equatorial Guinean society.”
The Public Prosecutor’s Office, tasked with overseeing the investigation, aims to pursue administrative, civil, and criminal charges against Engonga and any accomplices.
In a statement, the government emphasised the scandal’s serious impact on family values and social cohesion in Equatorial Guinea, stating: “In light of these serious events, which severely undermine family and social cohesion, and considering the negative impact that this situation has on the good image of our country, tarnishing its reputation, the government, through the Public Prosecutor’s Office, has commenced a thorough investigation to establish responsibilities at the administrative, civil, and criminal levels, given the possibility of a public health impact.”
The investigation will address several factors, including the distinction between personal and private conduct, potential violations of privacy, and damages to individuals’ honor and prestige.
The government emphasized its commitment to upholding the rights of those affected by the scandal, including the state itself.
