A British citizen, Andrew Wynne, who was declared wanted by the Nigeria Police on Monday for allegedly planning to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration, has denied all accusations against him.
Speaking from the United Kingdom on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Wynne expressed surprise at being labeled a fugitive and dismissed the claims as baseless.
The Nigeria Police had earlier announced a N20 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Wynne and his alleged accomplice, Lucky Obiyan, a Nigerian. The police spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, accused Wynne of establishing a network of sleeper cells aimed at destabilizing the Nigerian government.
However, Wynne, who has been associated with Nigeria for over 25 years, refuted the allegations, stating, “I am not aware that I am a fugitive. I am not aware that I am running away from the law.”
Wynne, who runs a bookshop in the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) complex in Abuja, insisted that he is open to discussions with the Nigerian authorities, either via WhatsApp or in person at the Nigerian High Commission in London.
His wife also spoke out in his defense, suggesting that the accusations were fabricated by a man who allegedly owes her husband money and is seeking to discredit him.
Police investigations suggest that Wynne rented space at Labour House in Abuja and used it as a front for subversive activities. Adejobi claimed that Wynne had financially supported violent protests and other illegal actions intended to disrupt the government, in violation of Nigeria’s anti-terrorism laws.
The Inspector-General of Police has called on international law enforcement agencies, including INTERPOL, to assist in apprehending Wynne and Obiyan, who have reportedly fled the country. The police maintain that they are committed to protecting national security and upholding the rule of law.
The Nigeria Labour Congress was also implicated in the investigation, although their president clarified that the union was not involved in the alleged subletting of spaces used by Wynne. The police emphasized that their probe into the NLC’s connections with Wynne was not linked to union activities but rather focused on Wynne’s alleged illegal actions.
A special police bulletin has offered N10 million for information leading to the arrest of each suspect, urging the public to report any sightings of Wynne and Obiyan to the nearest police station.
