Briton And Two Nigerians Sought In Court Order For Arrest

Briton And Two Nigerians Sought In Court Order For Arrest

The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued arrest warrants for British citizen Andrew Wynne and Nigerians Lucky Obiyan and Abdullahi Musa, in connection with allegations of plotting an insurrection against Nigeria. The court’s order, made on Tuesday by Justice Emeka Nwite, followed an ex-parte application from the police……CONTINUE READING 

Earlier reports from Naija News indicated that the police had declared Wynne and Obiyan wanted, offering a 20 million naira reward for information leading to their capture. Wynne, who also goes by Andrew Povich and Drew Povey, and his Nigerian associates, are targeted in the Nigerian government’s intensified crackdown on activists involved in the #EndBadGovernance protests.

President Bola Tinubu’s administration has been aggressively pursuing individuals linked to these protests. Police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi accused Wynne of orchestrating a network of sleeper cells aimed at destabilizing Tinubu’s administration and inciting nationwide unrest. Wynne, who has fled the country, is alleged to have rented space at Labour House in Abuja under the pretense of operating an “Iva Valley Bookshop” and setting up “STARS of Nations Schools,” which the police claim were fronts for subversive activities.

On the same day, the government arraigned 10 Nigerians involved in the #EndBadGovernance protests in various states, including Abuja, Kano, and Kaduna. These individuals face charges of conspiring with Wynne to destabilize Nigeria, calling for military action against President Tinubu’s government, and waging war against the state.

Justice Nwite has remanded the 10 defendants until September 11, when their bail applications will be considered. This follows a previous court decision on August 22, which led to the detention of 75 protesters, including 28 minors, pending investigation into alleged terrorism-related offenses.

During Tuesday’s proceedings, police lawyer Audu Garba presented the ex-parte application for Wynne’s arrest, arguing that the warrant was necessary for law enforcement agencies to capture the defendants, who are currently evading arrest. The charges against them include conspiracy, treason, incitement to mutiny, and terrorism, as specified under sections 97, 410, 413, 416, and 412 of the Penal Code, Northern States Federal Provisions Act CAP P3 LFN 2004.

The supporting affidavit highlighted the defendants’ alleged involvement in planning attacks on several government facilities in Kano State, including the High Court Complex, the Nigerian Communications Commission office, and a printing press. Justice Nwite approved the arrest warrants, authorizing a nationwide search for Wynne, Obiyan, and Musa.