The government has further ordered the installation of surveillance cameras in courts and ministries to combat “indecent and illicit acts.”

It also announced that it was suspending officials involved in the scandal, according to a statement issued by the Equatorial Guinea Press and Information Office, published on the government’s website on Tuesday.

Vice-President Teodoro Mangue on Tuesday said any official found engaging in sex acts at work would be sanctioned as this was a “flagrant violation of the code of conduct.”

The government said the recent decisions had been taken in the wake of the widely circulated videos which had “denigrated the image of the country.”

“Among the decisions taken are the suspension of employment of the officials who appear in the homemade adult videos circulating on the networks, severe measures for the members assigned to the surveillance of the inmates for not fulfilling their duties and allowing such acts, as well as the reinforcement of security in all judicial offices in the country; in addition to the installation of surveillance cameras in the judicial and ministerial offices,” the statement said.

“The Executive has made this decision in the wake of the sexual videos that have gone viral on social media in recent days, which have denigrated the image of the country.

“And in order to correct this bad behaviour of some officials of the public and judicial administration of Equatorial Guinea, the Vice President of the Republic, concerned about this situation, has urgently summoned the President of the Supreme Court of Justice, the Attorney General of the Republic, and several members of the government headed by the Prime Minister, to adopt strategies to stop this type of behaviour and thus propose preventive measures,” it added.

The social media has been agog following the arrest of Engonga who is the Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency in Equatorial Guinea, for allegedly recording over 400 sex tapes of the wives of notable people in the country.

The scandal emerged in the course of a fraud investigation against the 54-year-old economist which resulted in the search of his house and office on impromptu notice by ANIF officials who came across several CDs that later revealed his sexcapades with different married women.

Ever since the sex tapes leaked on the internet, different reactions have trailed the news described as the biggest sex scandal in the country and perhaps Africa.

The videos reportedly include encounters with high-profile individuals, such as his brother’s wife, his cousin, the sister of the President of Equatorial Guinea, the Director-General of Police’s wife, and about 20 of the country’s ministers’ wives, among others.

This sweeping measure is part of an ongoing effort to ensure strict adherence to public service laws and combat misconduct among officials.

The country’s Director General, National Financial Investigation Agency in Equatorial Guinea, Baltasar Engonga, was arrested for allegedly recording over 400 sex tapes of the wives of notable people in the country.

The scandal emerged in the course of a fraud investigation against the 54-year-old Economist, which resulted in the search of his house and office on impromptu notice by ANIF officials who came across several CDs that later revealed his sexcapades with different married women.

The CCTV initiative, unveiled in an X post on Tuesday, according to him, underscored the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

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

The new surveillance policy aims to deter acts that could undermine public trust and the ethical standards expected of public servants.

Authorities have made it clear that any violation caught on camera will be met with severe repercussions.

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

While the government emphasised that this step is crucial for promoting an environment of accountability, the policy has stirred varied responses from public sector employees and human rights advocates.

Some officials view it as a positive step towards reform, while others raise concerns about potential privacy implications.

The timeline for the complete rollout and the exact scope of surveillance have yet to be detailed.

However, the government has assured that the initiative aligns with existing legal frameworks aimed at strengthening governance and safeguarding public resources.

The VP noted that the installation of surveillance systems in state offices signals a resolute stand against corruption and misconduct, marking a pivotal step in fostering an atmosphere of transparency and trust within public service.

“The government will soon implement the installation of surveillance cameras in all offices of state bodies. We have taken this measure to ensure compliance with the law on public officials and to eradicate improper and illicit behaviour. We will not admit any fault that denigrates the integrity of our administration and those who engage in these practices will face drastic measures,” the post translated from Spanish by Google Translate read.

Earlier, the VP on Monday announced that the government will immediately suspend any officials involved in sexual relations within ministry offices, as it violates the Code of Conduct and Public Ethics Law.

This decisive action, he said, reinforces a zero-tolerance policy towards behaviour that undermines public service integrity.

“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 government will take severe measures against these acts since they constitute 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 behaviours that undermine the integrity of the public service.

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

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission’s Head of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols Unit, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, issued this advice in a statement on Friday.

The Commission said that on October 17, 2022, the government of Equatorial Guinea released a report recommending foreigners living there without legal status to leave freely or risk punishment.

The action will contribute to greater stability in the nation, according to the government of Equatorial Guinea.

The statement read, “The attention of the Management of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, has been drawn to a letter from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on the above-mentioned subject matter.

“A report by the Government of Equatorial Guinea on October 17, 2022, was issued, advising undocumented foreigners in their country to leave voluntarily or face government sanction.

“According to the report, this is aimed at curbing elements of sabotage and creating stability in the country of Equatorial Guinea.

“The letter also stated that obtaining a one or two-year residence permit by foreigners goes between $410 and $620.

“As a Commission committed to the welfare of its citizens, we advise that Nigerians in Equatorial Guinea should renew their permit if possible, or apply to come back home to Nigeria, if undocumented, to avoid sanctions by the Government of Equatorial Guinea.”

The Presidency explained on Thursday that Buhari would be in Malabo to attend the Summit, with other gas producing countries including; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Bolivia, Iran, Qatar, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Kazakhstan and Norway.

According to Mr Garba Shehu, spokesperson for Presidency, he said the countries “account for 70 per cent and 80 per cent of global gas reserves and production respectively.”

“The idea of the GECF was first mooted in 2001 when the First Ministerial Meeting held in Tehran, Iran, while the First GECF otherwise called Gas Summit, took place in Doha, Qatar in 2011 with Nigeria represented at the highest level.

“Indeed, President Buhari had attended the Third Gas Summit in Tehran in November 2015. This Fifth Gas Summit in Malabo is the first time the biennial meeting will be hosted in Africa.”

An invitation to Buhari to attend the summit was delivered to him on November 19 by the Special Envoy of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Mr Gabriel Mbega Obiang Lima, in Abuja.

Buhari had told the envoy during the visit that “Nigeria is more of a gas producing rather than oil producing country. That fact had long been established. If we had followed our plans laid out in the 1970s for the gas sector, we should have had 12 trains by early 1980s, instead of being on just six trains.”

The Presidency added, “Nigeria, being home to the largest proven natural gas reserves in Africa, over 202 trillion cubic feet, and the ninth-largest in the world, the Malabo Summit provides a veritable platform for President Buhari to reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to the broad objectives of the GECF, which among others, seek to ‘support the sovereign rights of member countries over their natural gas resources and their ability to independently plan and manage the sustainable, efficient and environmentally-conscious development, use and conservation of natural gas resources for the benefit of their people.’

“The Nigerian delegation will also use the opportunity to discuss current trends in the global gas market, potential policies for the energy sector and opportunities for collaboration.

“At the end of the 5th Gas Summit, the Malabo Declaration is expected to be adopted.”

Those to be on the President’s entourage are the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva; Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite; and the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mele Kolo Kyari.

“After the Summit, President Buhari will head for Daura, Katsina State, on a five-day official visit.”