High-Ranking Equatorial Guinea Official Jailed for Embezzlement

Baltasar Ebang Engonga, the nephew of Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema and the former head of the National Financial Investigation Agency, has received an eight-year prison sentence for embezzlement. He diverted state funds for his personal use.

Engonga, popularly known as “Bello” for his good looks, made news last year when leaked sex tapes showed him with multiple women, many connected to powerful families. The scandal broke while he was in detention over secret accounts in the Cayman Islands. He was convicted along with five other officials who falsely claimed travel allowances between $9,000 and $220,000.

His arrest and subsequent public humiliation were seen as a move to eliminate any chance of him succeeding his uncle, the world’s longest-serving president. Engonga used to investigate crimes such as money laundering, but found himself at the infamous Black Beach prison in the capital, Malabo, after being accused of corruption.