The Nigeria Police Force has reported that Andrew Wynn, a British national who was declared wanted for alleged subversive activities and terrorism financing, has refused to turn himself in for questioning.
During a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, stated that Wynn had been invited multiple times by the police to address the allegations against him, but he failed to respond to the invitations.
Adejobi further mentioned that after ignoring several invitations, Wynn fled the country to avoid arrest.
This development follows Wynn’s statement on Monday, where he claimed he was willing to turn himself in for questioning.
In an exclusive interview with Channels Television, Wynn denied any wrongdoing, asserting that he is not on the run and is fully prepared to cooperate with Nigerian authorities.
“I am not aware that I am a fugitive, I am not aware that I am running away from the law, I have been visiting Nigeria for 25 years. 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.
“I only have one nationality and the name on my passport is Andrew Wynne with a nickname. 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. If they want to start a conversation then I think that is more than adequate,” Wynne said.
‘My husband is falsely accused’
The Nigerian wife of the British national also spoke exclusively to Channels Television, asserting that her husband is being falsely accused.
She claimed that the allegations of attempting to topple the government, as stated by the police, are not the real reason for her husband’s ordeal.
According to her, a Nigerian individual who owes her husband is behind the accusations, aiming to have Wynn expelled from the country to avoid repaying the debt.
“We have been together for nine years, eight years of friendship before we finally got married last year. My husband is falsely accused, he has never been a terrorist. He is being accused because one Mr Olumide is owing him and not ready to pay him,” she said.
“The case is in court even now. So, he is just doing anything he can to intimidate and throw him out of the country, He is in UK because he came in and at the expiring date of his going back, he had to go back. If not for all these, he is supposed to be back maybe around twenty something of September.”
Sleeper cells
Addressing journalists in Abuja earlier on Monday, the Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, accused the British national of building a network of sleeper cells to cause chaos and topple the government.
He said, “The Nigeria Police Force has launched a comprehensive investigation into the activities of foreign national and subversive elements plotting to undermine the democratically elected government in Nigeria through unconstitutional regime change and orchestrating violence across the country.
“Following extensive intelligence gathering and collaboration with other security agencies, nine suspects have been apprehended, who received substantial financial backing from foreign sources to destabilise the country.
“Preliminary findings suggest they orchestrated and funded violent protests, disseminated false information, and engaged in other unlawful activities to create anarchy and justify their illegal plot to overthrow the democratically elected government.
“Investigations have identified a foreign mercenary, Andrew Wynne (also known as Andrew Povich or Drew Povey), a British national, who built a network of sleeper cells to topple the government and plunge the nation into chaos. He rented a space at Labour House, Abuja, for an ‘Iva Valley Bookshop’ and established ‘STARS of Nations Schools’ as a cover for his subversive activities.”
Adejobi said Wynne also known as Andrew Povich, and his local coordinator, Obiyan, had fled the country.
He said, “Since the commencement of investigations, Andrew Wynne has fled the country. He and one of his local coordinators, one Lucky Ehis Obiyan, have accordingly been declared wanted, and global hunting for them has commenced in connection with this investigation.”
The Force PRO also said Wynne provided finance and operational guidance to allegedly topple an elected government in the country.