Ex- British envoy, US mayor support treason trial of Briton, Wynne, others

A former British diplomat, David Roberts, and a United States Mayor, Mike Arnold, have supported the Nigerian Government’s resolve to prosecute a British national, Andrew Wynne, and 12 other Nigerians for treason.

Recall that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had on Monday filed a six-count charge against the Briton and the 12 Nigerians for treason.  The suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/454/2024, which came before the Federal High Court, Abuja, is connected to the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protest.

The police accused the suspects of attempting to destabilize the country. And trying to overthrow a democratic government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. They were also accused of willful destruction of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) facility in Kano, among other charges.

The ICP stated that the suspects committed the offences between July 1 and August 4, 2024.

Those charged are Micheal Adaramoye (aka Lenin), Adeyemi Ahayomi (aka Yomi), Suleiman Yakubu, Opaluwa Eleojo, Angel Innocent, and Buhari Lawal.

Others are Mosiu Sadiq, Bashir Bello (aka Murtala), Nursdeen Khamis, and Abdulsalam Zubairu. Also in the list are Andrew Wynne (aka Andrew Povich), Lucky Obryan, and Comrade Musa Abdollahi.

In their separate statements, Thursday, the former British diplomat and the Mayor of Blanco said the Briton, Wynne had no immunity against prosecution. He was, therefore, liable to punishment for infringing on Nigerian laws.

The diplomats also condemned the flying of the Russian flag by protesters during the nationwide hunger protest in August. They described the act as affront to the sovereignty of Nigeria.

“It is wrong and provocative for any foreigner, UK national or not, to be involved in destabilizing a nation like Nigeria. Especially after we had to deal with our protests last month,” the former director of British Council in Nigeria, Roberts said.

Recall that the Nigerian Police has declared the Briton, Andrew Wynne wanted. The police also placed a bounty of N20m for anybody that could provide information for his arrest.

But Wynne in response, claimed he was not on the run. He, however, feared that he would be torture by the Nigerian police if he should surrender himself.

source: Blueprint