A high-profile corruption scandal has rocked Equatorial Guinea after one of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo’s sons, Ruslan Obiang Nsue, was handed a six-year prison sentence for the unlawful sale of a state-owned plane belonging to the national airline, Ceiba Intercontinental. The shocking judgment was delivered by the nation’s Supreme Court, further exposing the internal wrangling and deep-rooted corruption within the ruling family.
Hilario Mitogo, the director of press at the Supreme Court, confirmed the sentencing on Tuesday. According to the court, the 50-year-old Obiang Nsue, who once held the position of general director of Ceiba Intercontinental, was found guilty of selling the ATR 72-500 aircraft to a Spanish company. Instead of remitting the funds to the state treasury, he reportedly pocketed the entire proceeds, a move considered a blatant abuse of his former office and a betrayal of public trust.
Despite the sentencing, the ruling provided a conditional alternative that allows Obiang Nsue to avoid jail if he reimburses approximately $255,000 to Ceiba Intercontinental. In addition, he is required to pay damages and fines to the state. The court emphasized that failure to meet these financial obligations will automatically trigger the prison term. This conditional clause has sparked debates within the country, with critics accusing the judiciary of favoritism toward the ruling elite.
It was revealed that since 2023, Obiang Nsue had been placed under house arrest following orders from his half-brother, Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, another powerful son of the president, often referred to as “Teodorín.” The internal family rift reportedly intensified after the scandal came to light, leading to his prosecution. Interestingly, the court cleared Obiang Nsue of separate charges relating to embezzlement and abuse of office, a decision that has raised eyebrows among anti-corruption activists.
Before his downfall, Ruslan Obiang Nsue also served as secretary of state for sports and youth, positioning himself as a key figure in government circles. However, his conviction adds to a growing list of corruption-related controversies involving President Obiang’s family members, many of whom hold influential positions in the oil-rich nation. Over the years, Equatorial Guinea has faced international criticism for its poor governance, lack of transparency, and entrenched nepotism despite its vast petroleum resources.
President Teodoro Obiang, who has been in power for an unprecedented 46 years, remains the world’s longest-serving president. His rule has been marked by authoritarian control, suppression of dissent, and persistent allegations of corruption within the ruling elite. The sentencing of his son is seen by some observers as an attempt to portray a façade of accountability, while others argue it is more of a power struggle within the ruling family than a genuine fight against corruption.
This development has once again placed the Obiang dynasty under international spotlight, with questions arising about the sustainability of the regime and the growing rifts among family members who dominate the political, military, and economic sectors of Equatorial Guinea. As the case unfolds, many await to see whether Ruslan Obiang Nsue will indeed serve prison time or simply repay the money to secure his freedom, a move that could further highlight the inequalities of justice in the country.