#EndBadGovernance protests: Police declare British national, Andrew Wynne, wanted over attempt to ‘overthrow’ Tinubu
By Emma Ogbuehi
The Police have declared a British national, Andrew Wynne, wanted for allegedly plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.
He is accused of alleged sponsorship of the #EndBadGovernance protests, which rocked the country early last month.
According to the Police, “Since the commencement of investigations, Andrew Wynne has fled the country.
“He and one of his local coordinators, one Lucky Ehis Obiyan, have accordingly been declared wanted and a global manhunt for them has commenced in connection with this investigation.”
The above statement was made by the Nigerian Police Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyuwa Adejobi, on Monday, in reaction to the ongoing investigation of the #EndBadGovernance protests.
He said: “Following extensive intelligence gathering and collaboration with other security agencies, nine suspects have been apprehended.
“They received substantial financial backing from foreign sources to destabilise the country.
“Preliminary findings suggest they orchestrated and funded violent protests, disseminated false information, and engaged in other unlawful activities to create anarchy and justify their illegal plot to overthrow the democratically-elected government.
“Investigations have identified a foreign mercenary, Andrew Wynne (also known as Andrew Povich or Drew Povey), a British national, who built a network of sleeper cells to topple the government and plunge the nation into chaos.
“He rented a space at Labour House, Abuja, for an ‘Iva Valley Bookshop’ and established ‘STARS of Nations Schools’ as a cover for his subversive activities.
“Documentary evidence and confessions revealed that Andrew Wynne issued directives, monitored progress, and provided finance and operational guidance to achieve unconstitutional regime change in Nigeria.
“He mobilised and deployed several billions of naira to his Nigerian collaborators, urging them to mobilise the public to violently storm police facilities and military barracks, anticipating a bloodbath that would instigate international condemnation of the Nigerian government.
“These acts are in clear violation of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 and other relevant laws.
“Since the commencement of investigations, Andrew Wynne has fled the country.
“He and one of his local coordinators, Lucky Ehis Obiyan, have accordingly been declared wanted and a global manhunt for them has commenced in connection with this investigation.
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“The 10 other suspects already apprehended have been arraigned before a competent court of law on Monday, September 2, 2024, for criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.
“They include Angel Love Innocent (female), Opaluwa Eleojo Simeon, Michael Tobitoba Adaramoye aka Lenin, Suleiman Yakubu, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Abayomi Adeyemi, Abdulsalam Zubairu (male), Nuradeen Hamis, and Bashir Bello.
“These acts are in clear violation of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 and other relevant laws
“Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, while condemning the activities of the group, has since activated the INTERPOL tools and other global policing networks to support ongoing domestic investigations aimed at locating and apprehending the suspects at large.
“The IGP assures the general public that the Force will leave no stone unturned in dealing with and bringing to deserved justice, any individual or group threatening our national security and peace or promoting any movement with the motive of truncating our democratic government through unconstitutional means.
“We recognise and remain committed to protecting citizens’ constitutionally guaranteed fundamental and democratic rights to peaceful assembly and free expression.
“However, we advise citizens to be wary of subversive elements who weaponize and commercialize protests for personal financial and ideological benefits.”
