Viral personality Baltasar Ebang Engonga appeared in a Malabo court after spending ten months in detention, as his high-profile corruption trial continues.
The former Director-General of Equatorial Guinea’s National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF) had been held at Black Beach Prison since September 2024.
He is facing embezzlement charges alongside several other former senior officials.
During Monday’s court session, prosecutors outlined what they called a sophisticated scheme to siphon public funds for personal enrichment.
The scheme was allegedly orchestrated by Engonga during his tenure as head of the Directorate General of Insurance and Reinsurance (DGAR) from 2015 to 2020, in collaboration with other officials.
According to Le Bled Parle, the national prosecutor has recommended a particularly harsh sentence: eight years in prison for embezzlement of public funds, four years and five months for unlawful enrichment, and six years and one day for abuse of power.
In addition to the proposed prison terms, prosecutors have recommended a fine exceeding 910 million CFA francs (approximately $1.5 million USD), along with a ban on holding any public office during the sentence period.
Engonga is not the only high-ranking official on trial. Six other former senior government figures including Carmelo Julio Matogo Ndong, Ireneo Mangue Monsuy Afana, and Florentina Iganga Iñandji are also facing prosecution for their alleged roles in the misappropriation of public funds, which authorities claim was part of a vast network of financial corruption.
The trial is expected to span three days, with proceedings continuing this week as defense attorneys present their case.
Engonga’s legal team has dismissed the charges as politically motivated and cast doubt on the credibility of the prosecution’s evidence.
The court is expected to deliver its verdict in the coming days, drawing the high-profile corruption trial closer to a conclusion.
