A British nationwide has mentioned he’s at a loss as to why the Nigerian police have accused him of planning to overthrow Nigeria’s authorities and positioned a bounty on his head.
It was alleged by Nigeria’s police spokesperson on Monday that Andrew Wynne – and a co-conspirator – had constructed up a community of sleeper cells to destabilise Nigeria and had fled the nation within the wake of final month’s cost-of-living protests.
Talking from the UK, Mr Wynne advised Nigeria’s Channels Tv he was not conscious of accusations and could be completely satisfied to speak to officers.
He mentioned he ran a bookshop within the Nigerian capital, Abuja, and had been visiting the West African nation for 25 years with none issues.
A reward of 10m naira ($6,000, £5,000) has been supplied by Nigeria’s police to anybody who has data that might result in the arrest of Mr Wynne – and the identical quantity for his alleged Nigerian confederate Fortunate Obiyan.
“I’m more than pleased to speak with the police; I’m more than pleased to have a dialogue on WhatsApp or Zoom; I’m more than pleased to go to London and meet with officers from the Nigerian Excessive Fee,” mentioned Mr Wynne, who can also be recognized by the title Andrew Povich.
He was declared a fugitive on the day that 10 Nigerians were charged with treason for participating within the protests that had been dubbed “10 days of rage”.
These demonstrations had been primarily organised by way of social media but in addition had the backing of the nation’s commerce unions.
All of those that had been accused on Monday within the federal excessive court docket of treason, destruction of public property and injuring law enforcement officials pleaded not responsible. Their cost sheet additionally alleged that they’d been working with Mr Wynne.
Later, police spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi gave extra particulars about Mr Wynne, saying he had rented an area at Abuja’s Labour Home, the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) – the nation’s important commerce union physique.
He additionally mentioned the British nationwide had established a college to cowl up his actions – working in direction of the overthrow of President Bola Tinubu’s authorities.
“I’m not conscious that I’m a fugitive; I’m not conscious that I’m operating away from the regulation,” Mr Wynne advised Channels TV.
“I’ve had a bookshop on the NLC workplaces proper on the centre of Abuja for seven years and all that point, after all the safety forces have paid little interest in me,” he mentioned.
The August demonstrations turned violent in some locations as protesters clashed with safety forces leaving not less than seven lifeless, based on police, although rights teams have put the loss of life toll at 23.
