PUBLIC AI Index: AFR 24/018/2005

23 September 2005

Further Information on UA 134/05 (AFR 44/009/2005, 20 May 2005) and follow-up (AFR 24/016/2005, 26 August 2005) - Fear for safety/Health concern

EQUATORIAL GUINEA/ Florencio Ela Bibang (m) ]

NIGERIA Felipe Esono Ntumu (m) ] Equatorial Guinea nationals

Antimo Edú (m) ]

New name: Juan Ondo Abaga (m) ]

Florencio Elá Bibang, Felipe Esono Ntumu and Juan Ondo Abaga were tried in absentia by a military court in the city of Bata in Equatorial Guinea between 6 and 19 September. They weresentenced to 30 years in prison for their alleged involvement in an attempted coup on 8 October 2004. It appears that Antimo Edú was not tried. The whereabouts of the four men are unconfirmed, and Amnesty International fears for their safety.

Florencio Elá Bibang, a former Lieutenant-Colonel, Felipe Esono Ntumu and Juan Ondo Abaga were part of a group of 70 military officers, former military officers and the relatives of the alleged coup leader, charged with crimes including undermining the security of the state; rebellion; treason and negligence; and attempting to overthrow the government. The prosecution had asked for the three men, and three others, to be sentenced to death, but the court did not impose the death penalty.

Florencio Elá Bibang, Felipe Esono Ntumu and Antimo Edú were reportedly arrested by the Nigerian authorities in April. They were apparently travelling to Benin in order to seek asylum there. According to reports, on 3 July the men were abducted from detention at the Army Intelligence Authority in Lagos, Nigeria, by members of the Equatorial Guinea security services, and taken to Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea. Juan Ondo Abanga was reportedly abducted from Benin by Equatorial Guinea security services personnel.

On 20 September, Equatorial Guinea national radio reported that Florencio Elá Bibang, Felipe Esono Ntumu andJuan Ondo Abaga were not in the country. However, Amnesty International has received information that all four men have been held incommunicado in Black Beach prison in Malabo since being abducted.

According to new information, Florencio Elá Bibang has Hepatitis C, rather than Hepatitis A as previously stated. He may not be receiving the medical treatment that he requires.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible:

Tothe Equatorial Guinea authorities, in Spanish or your own language:

expressing concern that Florencio Elá Bibang, Felipe Esono Ntumu, Antimo Edú and Juan Ondo Abaga have effectively “disappeared”, as their whereabouts are unconfirmed;

- expressing concern that three of the men were tried in absentia in contravention of international and national law;

- noting that on 20 September Equatorial Guinea National Radio announced that they were not in the country;

- stating that Amnesty International has information that they have been held incommunicado in Black Beach prison since their abduction from Benin and Nigeria earlier this year;

- calling on the authorities to immediately make public the whereabouts of Florencio Elá Bibang, Felipe Esono Ntumu, Juan Ondo Abaga and Antimo Edú;

- urging the authorities to guarantee that the four men are treated humanely, and are not tortured or ill-treated, and calling on the authorities to grant them immediate access to their relatives, lawyers and all necessary medical care.

To the Nigerian authorities, in English or your own language:

- expressing concern that Florencio Elá Bibang, Felipe Esono Ntumu, and Antimo Edú have effectively “disappeared” in Equatorial Guinea following their abduction and forcible return from Nigeria in July 2005, at the hands of Equatorial Guinea security personnel;

- calling for an independent and impartial investigation into the abduction from Nigeria of Florencio Elá Bibang, Felipe Esono Ntumu and Antimo Edú, for those responsible to be brought to justice, and for full reparation for the victims.

APPEALS TO:

Equatorial Guinea (Please note that faxes may be switched off outside office hours: GMT +1)

Presiden

General Teodoro Obvian Nuera Mbasogo

Presidente de la República, Gabinete del Presidente de la República, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea

Fax: + 240 09 3313/ 3334

Salutation: Su Excelencia/Your Excellency

Minister of Justice

Sr. Don Angel Masié Mibuy

Ministro de Justicia y Culto, Ministerio de Justicia y Culto, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea

Fax: + 240 09 2126

Salutation: Sr. Ministro/Dear Minister

Attorney General

Sr. Don José Oló Obono

Fiscal General de la República, Fiscalía General de la República, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea

Fax: + 240 09 1338

Salutation: Sr Fiscal/ Dear Attorney General

COPIES TO:

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Sr Don Pastor Micha Ondo Bile

Ministro de Asuntos Exteriores, Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea

Fax: + 240 09 3132/ 2320

President of the Parliamentary Human Rights Commission

Sr Don Salomón Nguema Owono

Presidente de la Cámara de Representantes del Pueblo y de la Comisión de Derechos Humanos de la Cámara de Representantes del Pueblo

Avenida de la Independencia s/n, Apartado 51, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea

Fax: + 240 09 3313

Nigeria

Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice

Chief Bayo Ojo

Attorney-General’s Chambers, Federal Secretariat Complex

10th floor, Shehu Shagari Way, PMB 192 Abuja, Nigeria

Fax: + 234 9 5235208

Salutation: Your Excellency

COPIES TO

Minister of Internal Affairs

Ambassador Magaji Muhammed

Minister of Internal Affairs, Block F Old Federal Secretariat, Garki Area 1, P.M.B. 16, Garki

Abuja, Nigeria

Fax: + 234 92342426/ 92346884/ 92342902

Salutation: Dear Minister

and to diplomatic representatives of Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 4 November 2005.