Former British diplomat David Roberts and U.S. Mayor Mike Arnold have voiced their support for Nigeria’s decision to prosecute British national Andrew Wynne and 12 Nigerians on charges of treason. Wynne and his co-accused are alleged to have plotted to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government, as charged by the Nigeria Police.
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, filed the case at the Federal High Court in Abuja, accusing the group of attempting to destabilize Nigeria and planning attacks on the National Communication Commission (NCC) Centre in Kano. The incidents reportedly took place between July 1 and August 4, 2024.
The individuals facing charges include:
- Abdulsalam Zubairu
- Adeyemi Ahayomi (Yomi)
- Andrew Wynne (Andrew Povich)
- Angel Innocent
- Bashir Bello (Murtala)
- Buhari Lawal
- Comrade Musa Abdollahi
- Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo
- Lucky Obryan
- Michael Adaramoye (Lenin)
- Mosiu Sadiq
- Nursdeen Khamis
- Suleiman Yakubu
Wynne, the sole foreigner among the accused, is said to have played a central role in stirring unrest, allegedly disguising his actions as peaceful protests.
In separate statements, both Roberts and Arnold stressed that Wynne should not expect immunity from Nigerian law. They expressed concern over foreign involvement in such activities, particularly noting the display of Russian flags during protests as a direct challenge to Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Roberts, a former British Council director in Nigeria, condemned Wynne’s involvement. He emphasized the importance of maintaining Nigeria’s stability, stating, “No foreigner should engage in actions that threaten Nigeria, especially given the deep ties between our countries. Wynne and others involved should come forward and clear their names if innocent.”
He also related Nigeria’s situation to the United Kingdom’s own struggles with recent protests, stating, “We’ve just dealt with attempts to destabilize our own country. Nigeria has every right to defend its democracy.”
Arnold, Mayor of Blanco, Texas, affirmed his belief in free speech but insisted that such freedoms should never be used to incite violence or undermine democracy. He condemned the flying of Russian flags during the protests, viewing it as an indicator of insurrection. “I stand with Nigeria in protecting its democracy,” Arnold said. “Any foreigner violating Nigerian law should face the consequences.”
Both officials expressed their support for Nigeria’s efforts to maintain peace and order, emphasizing the need to protect democracy in the face of any attempts at subversion.
