Andrew Wynne, the British national accused of funding the #EndBadGovernance protests against President Bola Tinubu’s administration, has firmly denied any wrongdoing.
Wynne, in a conversation with a Punch correspondent via WhatsApp on Tuesday, maintained that the Nigerian government has no evidence to support the allegations against him.
Wynne accused the Nigeria Police Force of unlawfully invading his bookshop in Abuja during a late-night raid on July 7 at Labour House. He also claimed that the police stole his granddaughter’s bicycle during the operation. He criticized the federal government for attempting to blame him, as a foreigner, for the widespread protests, while urging them to address the worsening poverty in the country over the past 15 months.
“Yes, they’ve accused me, but since I am entirely innocent, they have no evidence against me,” Wynne stated. “The government is simply looking for a scapegoat for the massive protests. They should focus on addressing the severe poverty that has significantly increased in the last 15 months.”
Wynne expressed his concern for those detained in connection with the protests, alleging that they have been subjected to torture. He called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to take decisive action to secure their release. “I contacted the police via WhatsApp. They initiated a conversation but never questioned me further and then ceased communication. I have committed no crime, and the police are well aware of that,” he added.
He further lamented the police’s actions, stating, “They confiscated all the books from Iva Valley Bookshop, ransacked my home, and even stole my granddaughter’s bicycle, yet they found no evidence.”
In the meantime, a Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an arrest warrant for Wynne, who is now wanted on charges related to treason and terrorism.
