The tiny West African state of Equatorial Guinea on Tuesday demanded Brazil hand back more than $16m in cash and luxury watches that border officials confiscated from a delegation accompanying the president’s son.

Equatorial Guinea’s foreign minister described the seizure as a “paltry and unfriendly” act.

Mr Obiang, who is vice-president of Equatorial Guinea, arrived in Brazil on Friday on board a private jet.

Brazil prohibits people from entering the country with more than $2,400 in cash.

Both Mr Obiang and his father deny misusing their country’s oil revenue.