Andrew Wynne, a British national declared wanted by the Nigeria Police Force, has stated that he will not turn himself in due to fears for his safety.
Wynne and a Nigerian associate, Lucky Obiyan, were accused by the police of attempting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu by allegedly financing the recent #EndBadGovernance or #Hunger protests in Nigeria.
Both men have been declared wanted, with a bounty of N20 million placed on them.
Wynne has denied all allegations, claiming that the police never extended an invitation to him. However, Nigeria Police Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi insisted that Wynne was given ample opportunity to come forward and clear his name.
Adejobi stated, “We have established an offence or offences against him (Wynne), and we have even declared him wanted. His accomplices have been charged in court. Let him come out. At least those people worked for him.”
Despite these statements, Wynne has expressed serious concerns about his safety if he surrenders. In an interview, he cited the case of his employee, Yomi, who he claims was brutally tortured by police for days following his arrest.
Wynne, aged 70, expressed fears that the same fate would befall him if he returned to Nigeria.
He said, “The police say, if I am innocent I should give myself up. I am innocent. Like Yomi, for example, Yomi is completely innocent, give myself up and be tortured?
“I mean, it’s beyond fear, isn’t it? Yomi is my son and he’s completely innocent and was tortured for three days.
“And the police expect me to come back to Nigeria and be tortured? My fear is I would not be alive. It’s not about fear of torture and being beaten up by the police, it’s fear for my life. I don’t think I would survive the year if I came back to Nigeria.”
