‘Irresponsible behaviour’ — Equatorial Guinea suspends officials over sex scandal

Equatorial Guinea has suspended all officials who had sexual relations in the offices of ministries.

Announcing the decision on Monday via X, Teodoro Nguema, Equatorial Guinea’s vice-president, said the government would take “severe measures” against such acts.

“Today, we will proceed with the immediate suspension of all officials who have had sexual relations in the offices of the country’s ministries,” the statement reads.

“The Government will take severe measures against these acts, since it constitutes a flagrant violation of the Code of Conduct and the Public Ethics Law.

“This action is a decisive step in our policy of zero tolerance towards behaviors that undermine the integrity of the public service.

“Ethics and respect are fundamental in our administration, and we will not allow irresponsible behavior to compromise public trust.

“Responsibility and professionalism must be the pillars of our work as servants of the State.”

In a follow up post on Tuesday, the vice-president said the government would soon install surveillance cameras in all government offices.

“We have taken this measure to ensure compliance with the law on public officials and to eradicate improper and illicit behaviour,” he said.

“We will not admit any fault that denigrates the integrity of our administration and those who engage in these practices will face drastic measures.”

BACKGROUND

The Central African nation has been embroiled in a sex scandal since officials searched the home and office of Baltasar Ebang Engonga as part of an investigation into alleged fraud.

Engonga is director general of the country’s Anti-graft National Agency for Financial Investigation (ANIF).

Investigators reportedly uncovered about 400 explicit videos purportedly featuring the ANIF boss and multiple women.

Among the discoveries were sex tapes of Engonga seemingly having romps with his brother’s wife, his cousin, the sister of the president of Equatorial Guinea, the wife of the director general of police, and about 20 wives of ministers, among others.

The now viral videos were filmed in his office, hotels, and toilets — allegedly with the consent of participants.