Breaking: Nigerian Court Orders Arrest of Briton for Alleged Disaffection Against Tinubu

Nigerian Court Orders Arrest of Briton for Alleged Disaffection Against Tinubu

The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an arrest order for a British citizen named Andrew Martin Wynne and several Nigerian individuals for allegedly inciting disaffection against President Bola Tinubu’s government and engaging in acts of terrorism.

The arrest warrant was approved by Justice Emeka Nwite following an ex parte motion filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

The IGP accused ten Nigerian protesters of conspiring with Andrew Martin Wynne to seek the unconstitutional removal of President Bola Tinubu, among other serious allegations.

What Transpired in Court
On September 3, 2024, IGP’s counsel, Barrister Audu Garba, sought a court order to issue a warrant for the arrest of Andrew Martin Wynne (also known as Andrew Povich), Lucky Ehis Obiyan, and Comrade Abdullahi Musa, who are currently evading arrest in connection with charges of conspiracy, treason, incitement to mutiny, incitement of disaffection against the government, terrorism, and related offenses.

He also requested an order declaring them as wanted individuals concerning these allegations.

According to preliminary investigations, the fleeing defendants are suspected of orchestrating and coordinating the invasion and arson of several locations in August 2024, including the High Court Complex, the NCC police station in Nyanya, Abuja, various sites in Kano, the Kano Printing Press, the Government House in Kano, the Kaduna Investment and Promotions Agency office, the NURTW office, and numerous other establishments.

Garba stated that additional suspects are being pursued for arrest, which justifies his application.

“The arrest, investigation, and prosecution of the fleeing defendants, who are currently on the run, will only be possible if this honorable court issues a warrant for their apprehension and declares them wanted,” he argued, pleading with the court to grant the request in the interest of justice, allowing all Nigeria Police Force officers and other security agencies to use official means to secure the lawful arrest of the fleeing defendants.

After hearing his arguments, Justice Emeka Nwite approved the request, calling it “meritorious.”

What You Should Know.
Ten Nigerians were accused of engaging in offenses during the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests, according to a charge sheet presented to Michael Tobiloba Adaramoye and nine others on September 2, 2024, in Abuja’s Federal High Court.

According to the charge sheet marked FHC/ABJ/CR/454/2024, IGP’s counsel Simon Lough SAN accused the ten defendants, as well as others who are still at large, of conspiring with Wynne (aka Andrew Povich) to destabilize Nigeria and intimidate the president by allegedly attacking and injuring police officers and setting fire to police stations, the High Court Complex, and the NCC Complex, among other places.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges and seized the opportunity to request bail on liberal terms.

Abubakar Marshal, representing some of the defendants, verbally opposed the remand of his clients, arguing that irrespective of the gravity of the accusations, a presumption of innocence should prevail until proven guilty.

Other attorneys supported his argument, highlighting the pregnancy of one of the women and the health issues of others.

Simon Lough opposed the bail application, asserting that the court’s discretionary powers must be exercised judiciously and in accordance with the law.

Consequently, the judge set September 11 for a ruling on the bail application and potential hearings, while remanding the defendants.

This development follows an application by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana SAN, asking the Federal High Court in Abuja to overturn a 60-day remand order against 49 Nigerians who participated in a “peaceful protest” against the recent misappropriation of public funds in Nigeria.

Falana filed the motion on notice in case number FHC/ABJ/CS/1223/2024 on August 26, 2024, on behalf of Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo and 48 others who are currently remanded awaiting the completion of police investigations into alleged terrorism.

The remand order was issued following an application from the Inspector General of Police against the respondents.

Justice Emeka Nwite, acting on an ex parte motion submitted by IGP’s lawyer, Ibrahim Mohammed, approved the police’s request to remand the protesters until the investigation is concluded.

Mohammed accused the defendants of alleged terrorism financing aimed at toppling the current government.

The judge also mandated that juvenile defendants be remanded in a Borstal Home at the correctional facility.

The case has been adjourned until October 23 for further mention.

However, Falana submitted a motion dated August 26, 2024, which was reviewed by Nairametrics.

He urged the court to annul, discharge, and vacate the ex parte order for the remand of his clients.

Alternatively, he requested that the court grant bail to the applicants on favorable terms pending the completion of the ongoing investigation by the IGP.