Civil servants discovered engaging in sexual activities within their offices will encounter “severe consequences,” as warned by the Vice-President of Equatorial Guinea, following the public release of numerous purportedly pornographic videos.
These videos allegedly feature high-ranking civil servant Baltasar Ebang Engonga in sexual encounters with various women, including the spouses of notable officials, within his office.
Engonga serves as the head of the National Financial Investigation Agency and is also related to the nation’s president.
On his Facebook account, Engonga expressed feelings of sadness, sharing a photograph of himself with a woman and children, accompanied by the caption: “Family is everything.”
Vice-President Teodoro Obiang Mangue stated that any officials found participating in sexual acts at their workplace would face suspension, as this constitutes a “flagrant violation of the code of conduct.”
He has also mandated the installation of surveillance cameras in courts and ministries to address “indecent and illicit acts.”
A statement from the office of the vice-president indicated that the decision was made following the widespread dissemination of videos that had “damaged the country’s reputation.”
It further noted that he had suggested initiating an investigation.
The videos in question were released after Engonga’s arrest on unrelated corruption allegations, as reported by state television TVGE.
Last week, Vice-President Obiang remarked that “pornographic videos” had been “overwhelming” social media and instructed telecommunications companies to limit their distribution.
Consequently, individuals in Equatorial Guinea informed the AFP news agency that internet traffic, especially the downloading of images, has been significantly hindered in the nation.
As the head of the National Financial Investigation Agency, Engonga is responsible for addressing financial crimes, including money laundering.
In light of the controversy surrounding the videos, Equatorial Guinea’s chief prosecutor, Anatolio Nzang Nguema, stated on state television that if Engonga were found to have contracted a sexually transmitted disease, he would face prosecution for a violation of “public health.”
He is reportedly known by the nickname “Bello,” which means beautiful in Spanish, due to his attractive appearance.
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