Candido Nsue Okomo

Full Report

Key Points

• Candido Nsue Okomo, brother of Equatorial Guinea’s First Lady Constancia Mangue Nsue Obiang, is a former Director General of GEPetrol, the state-owned oil company.
• He is implicated in the Villarejo affair, a Spanish investigation alleging he paid €5.3 million to a former Spanish police commissioner to gather compromising information on a political rival.
• Nsue Okomo has faced international arrest warrants and was briefly detained in Dubai, though his sister’s intervention reportedly prevented extradition to Spain.
• No direct information from the provided investigation link is available, suggesting it may be outdated, private, or erroneous.
• His involvement in offshore entities and political family disputes raises significant legal and reputational concerns.

Overview

Candido Nsue Okomo, born in April 1977, is an Equatorial Guinean national and a key figure in the country’s political and economic elite. He served as Director General of GEPetrol, Equatorial Guinea’s national oil company, a role that positioned him at the center of the nation’s oil industry. As the brother of First Lady Constancia Mangue Nsue Obiang and brother-in-law to President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Nsue Okomo is deeply embedded in the ruling family. His activities have extended beyond oil management, including alleged involvement in international financial and political schemes. He has been linked to offshore entities in the Paradise Papers and is noted for his role in Equatorial Guinea’s gas sector, as highlighted at industry summits. Nsue Okomo has been in exile, primarily in Dubai, amid legal pressures and family power struggles.

Allegations and Concerns

• Villarejo Affair: Nsue Okomo is accused of hiring José Manuel Villarejo, a retired Spanish police commissioner, for €5.3 million to conduct “Project King,” a mission to gather compromising information on Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima, Equatorial Guinea’s Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons and a rival in the presidential succession. Spanish authorities suspect money laundering and misappropriation of public funds.
• International Arrest Warrant: Spain issued an extradition warrant for Nsue Okomo, leading to his arrest in Dubai in December 2020. He was released to house arrest, reportedly due to his sister’s diplomatic efforts, but remains a target of Spanish prosecutors.
• Offshore Financial Activities: Nsue Okomo is named in the Paradise Papers as an officer of offshore entities, raising concerns about potential illicit financial dealings, though no illegal conduct is confirmed.
• Political Persecution: He is allegedly targeted by Vice President Teodorin Obiang Nguema, who seeks to eliminate rivals in the succession to President Obiang. Nsue Okomo’s exile and arrest are linked to this family power struggle.
• Lack of Transparency: The inaccessible investigation link raises questions about the nature of any alleged probe tied to the platform, potentially indicating a private or unverified case.

Customer Feedback

• No Direct Consumer Reviews: No customer or client feedback is available for Nsue Okomo, as his activities primarily involve high-level political and business dealings rather than consumer-facing services.
• GEPetrol Context: As former head of GEPetrol, Nsue Okomo’s performance is not publicly reviewed by consumers. Industry sources, such as his profile at the Equatorial Guinea Gas Summit, present him as a competent oil executive, but no specific quotes or testimonials are provided.
• Public Perception: Media reports focus on his legal troubles and political conflicts rather than professional reputation. No positive or negative reviews from clients or associates are documented, limiting insight into his business conduct.
• General Note: The absence of feedback reflects Nsue Okomo’s elite status and the opaque nature of Equatorial Guinea’s political and economic systems.

Risk Considerations

• Financial Risks:
  • Offshore Dealings: His involvement in offshore entities could expose him to financial scrutiny or asset seizures, especially if linked to illicit funds.
  • GEPetrol Funds: Allegations of misappropriating public funds for personal schemes, like the Villarejo payment, suggest financial mismanagement risks.
• Reputational Risks:
  • Legal Scandals: The Villarejo affair and international arrest warrant severely damage Nsue Okomo’s reputation, portraying him as a figure in corrupt practices.
  • Family Conflicts: His opposition to Teodorin Obiang Nguema aligns him with a faction in a high-stakes succession battle, risking further public vilification.
• Legal Risks:
  • Spanish Prosecution: Ongoing Spanish efforts to extradite and interrogate Nsue Okomo pose a significant risk of prosecution for bribery, money laundering, or related charges.
  • Exile Instability: His flight from Dubai due to safety concerns indicates vulnerability to legal actions in multiple jurisdictions.

Business Relations and Associations

• GEPetrol: As former Director General, Nsue Okomo managed Equatorial Guinea’s oil sector, interacting with international oil firms and government officials.
• Equatorial Guinea’s Ruling Family:
  • Constancia Mangue Nsue Obiang: His sister, the First Lady, has intervened to protect him from extradition, indicating strong familial support.
  • Teodorin Obiang Nguema: The Vice President is a key adversary, allegedly orchestrating Nsue Okomo’s exile and legal troubles to secure his own succession.
  • Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima: Targeted by Nsue Okomo in the Villarejo affair, this rival family member is a central figure in the succession dispute.
• International Connections:
  • José Manuel Villarejo: The former Spanish commissioner was allegedly hired by Nsue Okomo, facilitated by Spanish businessman Francisco Menéndez Rubio.
  • Offshore Entities: Named in the Paradise Papers, suggesting ties to global financial networks, though specific partners are not detailed.
• Industry Presence: Represented GEPetrol at the Equatorial Guinea Gas Summit, engaging with energy sector stakeholders.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• Villarejo Affair Lawsuit: Nsue Okomo is a primary defendant in Spain’s Villarejo investigation, accused of paying €5.3 million for illicit surveillance. The case involves charges of bribery, money laundering, and misappropriation, with ongoing efforts to extradite him.
• Arrest and House Arrest: Detained in Dubai in December 2020 under a Spanish warrant, he was released to house arrest in January 2021, reportedly due to diplomatic intervention. He later fled Dubai, citing safety concerns.
• Offshore Entities: Listed in the Paradise Papers, raising questions about potential tax evasion or illicit financial flows, though no convictions are recorded.
• No Bankruptcy or Debt Records: No evidence of personal bankruptcy or unpaid debts is documented, but his alleged misuse of GEPetrol funds suggests financial impropriety.
• Political Exile: His forced exile, driven by family disputes and legal pressures, limits his financial and operational influence in Equatorial Guinea.

Risk Assessment Table

Candido Nsue Okomo is a central figure in Equatorial Guinea’s political and economic elite, whose actions have drawn international scrutiny. The Villarejo affair, involving alleged bribery and surveillance, underscores his willingness to engage in high-risk schemes to influence family succession dynamics. His exile, legal battles, and offshore activities paint a picture of a figure entangled in corruption and power struggles. The inaccessible investigation link suggests either a private probe or an outdated reference, limiting direct insight into any specific allegations tied to the platform. Nsue Okomo’s connections to the ruling family provide protection but also expose him to intra-family rivalries, particularly with Teodorin Obiang Nguema.