Andrew Wynne claims to be unsure why the Nigerian Police Force has accused him of plotting to overthrow the government and placed a bounty on his head.
Nigeria’s police spokesperson claimed on Monday that Andrew Wynne and a co-conspirator had formed a network of sleeper cells to disrupt Nigeria and fled the country following the #EndBadGovernance protests last month.
Mr. Wynne, who spoke on a national television programme from the UK, said that he was unaware of any accusations and would be willing to speak with officials.
According to him, he operated a bookstore in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, and had been visiting the West African nation for 25 years without any difficulties.
The Nigerian police are offering a reward of 10m naira ($6,000, £5,500) to anyone with useful information that could lead to the arrest of Mr. Wynne, and also to his alleged accomplice, Lucky Obiyan.
“I am more than happy to talk with the police; I am more than happy to have a discussion on WhatsApp or Zoom; I am more than happy to go to London and meet with officials from the Nigerian High Commission,” said Mr Wynne, who is also known by the name Andrew Povich.
He was declared a fugitive on the day that 10 Nigerians were charged with treason for taking part in the protests that were dubbed ’10 days of rage’.
Before launching fully in major cities in Nigeria, the demonstrations were primarily organized through social media. It also had the backing of Nigeria’s trade unions.
On Monday, all those charged with treason, destroying public property, and injuring police officers in the federal high court pleaded not guilty. Their charge sheet also alleged that they had been working with Mr Wynne.
Police spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi provided further information about Mr. Wynne, stating that he had leased an area at Abuja’s Labour House, where the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the primary trade union organization in the country, is located.
Additionally, he claimed that the British citizen had created a school to cover up his activities, which included working to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government.
“I am not aware that I am a fugitive; I am not aware that I am running away from the law,” Mr Wynne said.
“I have had a bookshop at the NLC offices right at the centre of Abuja for seven years and all that time, of course the security forces have paid no interest in me,” he said.
The August demonstrations erupted into violence in certain areas as protesters clashed with security forces, resulting in the death of at least seven people, per police, although rights groups have estimated the death toll at 23.
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