‘I’m more than happy to talk to police’, says Briton accused of plotting to topple Tinubu

Wynne in an interview today denied any wrongdoing and stated that he is not evading the authorities, expressing his willingness to cooperate with the Nigerian government.

“I am not aware that I am a fugitive or that I am avoiding the law. I have been visiting Nigeria for 25 years and operated a bookshop at the NLC offices in central Abuja for seven years, during which time I’ve had no issues with the security forces,” Wynne said.

He further added, “I hold only one nationality, and my passport is in the name of Andrew Wynne, with a nickname. I am more than happy to speak with the police, have a conversation via WhatsApp or Zoom, or meet officials from the Nigerian High Commission in London. I believe that should be sufficient to start a dialogue.”

In a separate interview Wynne’s Nigerian wife stated that her husband is being falsely accused.

She suggested that the accusations are linked to a personal dispute involving a Nigerian individual who owes Wynne money and is attempting to have him expelled from the country to avoid repaying the debt.

“We have been together for nine years, including eight years of friendship before getting married last year. My husband is being falsely accused; he has never been a terrorist. The real issue is that one Mr. Olumide owes him money and doesn’t want to pay,” she said.

“The matter is currently in court. My husband is only in the UK because he had to return before his visa expired. Otherwise, he would have likely returned to Nigeria by late September.”

Earlier today, the Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, addressed journalists in Abuja, accusing Wynne of creating a network of sleeper cells aimed at causing chaos and overthrowing the government.

“The Nigeria Police Force has launched a comprehensive investigation into the activities of foreign nationals and subversive elements plotting to undermine Nigeria’s democratically elected government through unconstitutional means,” Adejobi stated.

He disclosed that nine suspects had been arrested as part of the investigation, which revealed that substantial foreign funds had been used to destabilise the country.

“Preliminary findings suggest that these individuals orchestrated and funded violent protests, spread false information, and engaged in other unlawful activities to create anarchy and justify their illegal plot to overthrow the government,” he said.

Adejobi identified Andrew Wynne, also known as Andrew Povich or Drew Povey, as a British national who allegedly built a network of sleeper cells and used a rented space at Labour House, Abuja, under the guise of an ‘Iva Valley Bookshop’ and ‘STARS of Nations Schools’ to cover his subversive activities.

He also mentioned that Wynne and his local coordinator, Lucky Ehis Obiyan, had fled the country and been declared wanted, with a global search now underway. Wynne is accused of providing financial and operational support to overthrow the elected government.