Baltasar Engonga/HANDOUTBaltasar Engonga has been sentenced to eight years in prison for embezzling government funds by a court in Equatorial Guinea.
The former Head of Financial Investigation Agency was also fined $220,000 (Sh28.5 million) following a court ruling on charges of misappropriation of public resources.
According to the judgment, Engonga was found guilty of diverting substantial amounts of government money for personal gain.
The court noted that the funds in question were intended for public projects but were instead misused.
The case attracted widespread attention due to Engonga’s previous position in government.
According to the court, investigations revealed that Engonga authorised multiple transactions that lacked proper documentation.
These transactions led to the loss of significant sums meant for development initiatives.
The court emphasised that holding officials accountable is essential in the fight against corruption.
The defence argued for a lighter sentence, citing Engonga’s prior public service record.
However, the court maintained that the gravity of the offence warranted a severe penalty.
There has been a mixed reaction from the public, with some welcoming the ruling as a step towards transparency while others view it as a wake-up call on the need for stronger oversight in public institutions.
Engonga gained international ill fame last year in November after the leakage of intimate videos featuring him and other government officials' wives, filmed in his office.
The tapes surfaced online while the former Head of the Financial Investigation agency was in pre-trial detention.
The scandal triggered a widespread digital uproar, prompting memes, musical tributes and even international debate.
It also cast a spotlight on Equatorial Guinea's political elite and sparked discussions on ethics, public accountability and the misuse of official privilege.
Engonga's conviction marks one of the most high-profile rulings in recent years regarding corruption within public offices in Equatorial Guinea.
