Baltasar Engonga Ebang, former Director-General of Equatorial Guinea’s National Agency for Financial Investigation (ANIF), is facing up to 18 years in prison as his trial for alleged financial misconduct gets underway.
The trial, which began on Monday, June 30, involves Ebang and several officials from a state-owned enterprise under the Ministry of Finance. Prosecutors accuse Ebang of embezzlement, illicit enrichment, and abuse of power during his tenure at the agency.
According to the prosecution, Ebang misappropriated over one billion CFA francs—approximately $1.67 million USD. They are seeking a combined prison sentence of 18 years: eight years for embezzlement, four years and five months for illicit enrichment, and six years and one day for abuse of power. Additionally, prosecutors are demanding a fine of 910 million CFA francs and a ban on holding public office for the duration of his sentence.
Ebang made headlines in late 2024 after explicit personal videos surfaced online, drawing public attention to his conduct.
The defense team has strongly denied all charges against Ebang and other co-defendants, describing the allegations as baseless and politically motivated.
The case continues in Malabo.
