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In a new twist to the investigation into the August 1 protests, the police have placed a N10 million bounty on a Briton Andrew Wynne (also known as Andrew Povich) after he was declared wanted.
Another N10 million bounty was placed on Mr Lucky Obiyan, a Nigerian.
Wynne and Obiyan were declared wanted for allegedly plotting to overthrow a democratically elected government.
The police also re-invited Labour leader Joe Ajaero to clear the air on his relationship with the wanted Briton.
Ajaero was a guest of police investigators last Thursday. Accompanied by his lawyer Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), he was allowed to go home after interrogation.
Police spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), accused the Briton of building a network of sleeper cells to topple the government and plunge the nation into chaos.
According to Adejobi, Wynne rented a space at the Labour House headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and established a school to cover up his activities.
He said: “He (Wynne) mobilised and deployed several billions of naira to his Nigerian collaborators, urging them to mobilise the public to violently storm police facilities and military barracks, anticipating a bloodbath that would instigate international condemnation of the Nigerian government.
“These acts violate the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 and other relevant laws.”
He added that Wynne and his local coordinator, Obiyan, had fled the country.
In a Special Police Gazette Bulletin released yesterday, the police announced a reward of N10 million each for anyone who provides information that will lead to the arrest of the suspects.
It reads: “If seen, arrest and hand over to the nearest police station, or the office of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Department of Force Intelligence, Force Headquarters, Abuja, or call 08035179870, 09133333785, 09133333786.
“A reward sum of N10, 000, 000 awaits any person(s) with information leading to the arrest of each of them.”
Why they are wanted
The Police said Wynne and Obiyan are wanted for allegedly plotting to incite mutiny against a democratic government.
Adejobi identified Wynne as the occupant of a rented space at Labour House, and that he established a school to cover his activities.
He said: “The Nigeria Police Force has launched a comprehensive investigation into the activities of a 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 documentary evidence and confessions revealed that Wynne provided finance and operational guidance to allegedly topple an elected government in the country.
He said: “Documentary evidence and confessions revealed that Andrew Wynne issued directives, monitored progress, and provided finance and operational guidance to achieve unconstitutional regime change in Nigeria.
“He (Wynne) mobilised and deployed several billions of naira to his Nigerian collaborators, urging them to mobilise the public to violently storm police facilities and military barracks, anticipating a bloodbath that would instigate international condemnation of the Nigerian government.
“These acts are in clear violation of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 and other relevant laws.”
Adejobi alleged that the Briton fled the country since the commencement of the police probe and that he (Wynne) and one of his local coordinators (Obiyan) have accordingly been declared wanted and global hunting for them has commenced.
He also confirmed the arraignment of the 10 other apprehended suspects before a competent court of law yesterday for criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.
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He added that Inspector-General (IG) Kayode Egbetokun, while condemning the activities of the group, has since activated the INTERPOL tools and other global policing networks to support ongoing domestic investigations aimed at locating and apprehending the suspects at large.
The IG assured the general public that the Force would leave no stone unturned in dealing with and bringing the suspects to deserved justice.
Adejobi vowed: “Any individual or group threatening our national security and peace or promoting any movement with the motive of truncating our democratic government through unconstitutional means.
“We recognise and remain committed to protecting citizens’ constitutionally guaranteed fundamental and democratic rights to peaceful assembly and free expression.
“However, we advise citizens to be wary of subversive elements who weaponise and commercialise protests for personal financial and ideological benefits.”
He said contrary to disinformation, the invitation extended to Ajaero and certain individuals within the NLC leadership has nothing to do with rights advocacy and activities of the union leadership.
Adejobi said it was aimed at clearing the relationship between the individuals and Andrew Wynne who in addition to plotting unconstitutional regime change is also financing terrorism in Nigeria.
“Following the interaction between the police investigation team and the NLC President, there is now a clearer understanding of the focus of the ongoing police investigation and the depth of Andrew Wynne’s subversive network and activities.
“No nation will tolerate attempts by foreign elements to interfere in its internal affairs, threaten national security and organise and fund local elements to instigate uprisings aimed at destabilising the country and engendering violent and unconstitutional regime change.
“The Inspector-General of Police appeals for the cooperation and support of all law-abiding citizens in the ongoing investigation.
“He assures anyone with information leading to the arrest of any of the suspects declared wanted will be appreciated and rewarded handsomely.”
