A British national, Andrew Wynne, who was recently declared wanted by the Nigeria Police Force for allegedly conspiring to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government, has responded to the allegations against him.
Earlier on Monday, Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi briefed the media in Abuja, accusing Wynne of organizing a network of sleeper cells intended to destabilize Nigeria and topple its democratically elected government.
“The Nigeria Police Force has begun a comprehensive investigation into the activities of foreign nationals and subversive elements plotting to undermine Nigeria’s government through unconstitutional means and orchestrated violence,” Adejobi stated.
He also disclosed that nine suspects had been arrested following extensive intelligence work and cooperation with other security agencies. These individuals are suspected of receiving significant financial backing from foreign sources to incite unrest within the country.
In an exclusive interview with Channels Television, Wynne refuted the allegations, denying any involvement in the alleged plot and asserting that he was not evading the authorities. He expressed his willingness to cooperate with Nigerian officials, stating, “I am not aware that I am considered a fugitive or that I am evading the law. I have been visiting Nigeria for 25 years, and for the past seven years, I have operated a bookshop within the NLC offices in Abuja. Throughout this time, the security forces have shown no interest in me.
“I hold only one nationality, and the name on my passport is Andrew Wynne, though I have a nickname. I am fully willing to speak with the police, whether via WhatsApp, Zoom, or even in person at the Nigerian High Commission in London. If they want to initiate a dialogue, I am ready to engage,” Wynne added.
Separately, Wynne’s Nigerian wife, in an interview with Channels Television, strongly defended her husband, insisting that he is being wrongly accused. She claimed that the real issue stems from a personal vendetta by a Nigerian individual who owes her husband money and is attempting to avoid repaying the debt.
“We’ve been together for nine years, with eight years of friendship before we finally married last year. My husband is being falsely accused; he has never been involved in any terrorist activity. The real issue is that a man named Mr. Olumide owes my husband and doesn’t want to repay him,” she said.
“The matter is currently in court. This individual is doing everything possible to intimidate and deport my husband to avoid settling the debt. My husband is in the UK because his visa was about to expire, and he needed to return. If not for these issues, he would have returned around the end of September.”
