Controversial Equatorial Guinean figure Baltasar Ebang Engonga, popularly referred to online as Egonga, is reportedly a free man after allegedly serving a two-year jail term that kept his name dominating headlines across Africa and beyond.
News of his reported release spread rapidly on social media on Tuesday, May 19, after several blogs and X accounts claimed the once-powerful government official had walked out of prison.
One viral post by Nigeria Stories described Egonga as a “controversial celebrity” whose freedom had sparked fresh debate online.
Egonga became one of the most talked-about African public figures in recent years after a massive scandal involving leaked private videos and corruption allegations rocked Equatorial Guinea in 2024.
The former senior government official had served as the Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), an institution tasked with investigating financial crimes in the oil-rich Central African nation.
His downfall came after authorities launched investigations into alleged embezzlement of public funds.
During the probe, hundreds of explicit videos allegedly linked to him surfaced online, triggering outrage, jokes and endless discussions across social media platforms globally.
Reports claimed some of the videos involved wives and relatives of influential figures, making the scandal even more explosive.
At the peak of the controversy, the Equatorial Guinea government moved swiftly to suspend officials linked to the scandal while also tightening measures within public offices.
Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue publicly condemned inappropriate conduct in government institutions as the country battled growing international embarrassment.
Although online reports now claim Egonga has regained his freedom after spending two years behind bars, details surrounding the exact terms of his imprisonment remain unclear, with conflicting media reports emerging over time.
Some publications previously reported that prosecutors were pushing for an 18-year sentence over corruption and abuse of office allegations, while others later claimed he had been sentenced to eight years in prison.
The conflicting reports have only added to the mystery surrounding the controversial figure, whose story has continued attracting massive public interest long after the scandal first broke.
Equatorial Guinea, one of Africa’s top oil-producing nations, has for years faced criticism from international human rights organizations over governance, transparency and political freedoms under President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has ruled the country for decades.
Despite the controversies surrounding him, Egonga’s name remains hugely recognizable online, with many social media users reacting to news of his reported release through memes, jokes and heated debates.
Others argued that his notoriety turned him into an unlikely internet celebrity across several African countries.
As of Tuesday evening, authorities in Equatorial Guinea had not issued a detailed public statement clarifying the viral claims surrounding his reported release.
FOLLOW NAIROBI NEWS ON FACEBOOK
