Former Director-General of Equatorial Guinea’s National Agency for Financial Investigation (ANIF), Baltasar Engonga Ebang, is standing trial over allegations of financial misconduct that could see him jailed for up to 18 years if convicted.
The trial, which commenced on Monday, June 30, involves Ebang and several officials of a state-owned enterprise under the Ministry of Finance. The case has drawn significant public interest, especially after Ebang became a controversial figure in late 2024 when explicit videos of him went viral.
Prosecutors have accused Ebang of embezzlement, illicit enrichment, and abuse of power during his tenure at ANIF. They allege that he misappropriated over one billion CFA francs, an amount equivalent to about 1.67 million US dollars.
According to the prosecution, they are seeking:
- Eight years of imprisonment for embezzlement
- Four years and five months for illicit enrichment
- Six years and one day for abuse of power
- A fine of 910 million CFA francs
- A ban on holding public office during the duration of his sentence
However, Ebang’s legal team has firmly rejected all the allegations, insisting that both he and the other officials implicated in the matter are innocent and that the charges lack merit.
The case continues to stir debate in Equatorial Guinea, as citizens and observers watch closely to see how the high-profile proceedings will unfold.
