BY OCHE OBANDE

ABUJA – THE Federal High Court Abuja has ordered the arrest of a British citizen named Andrew Martin Wynne and other Nigerians for allegedly instigating Nigerians against President Bola Tinubu-led government, terrorism, and other related offenses. 

Justice Emeka Nwite approved the arrest warrant in an ex parte motion filed by the Inspector General of Police. 

The Inspector General of Police(IGP) had accused ten Nigerian protesters of acting in concert with a British citizen named Andrew Martin Wynne to plot the removal of President Bola Tinubu by unconstitutional means, among other allegations. 

At Tuesday’s proceedings, Counsel for the IGP, Audu Garba, solicited an order of court for the issuance of a warrant of arrest against Andrew Martin Wynne (aka Andrew Povich), Lucky Ehis Obiyan, and
Comrade Abdullahi Musa, the fleeing defendants in the case of conspiracy, treason, inciting to mutiny, inciting disaffection to government and terrorism, etc contrary to sections 97, 410, 413, 416, and 412 of the Penal
Code Northern states Federal Provisions Act CAP P3 LFN 2004.

He equally sought an order declaring them wanted over the allegations.

According to his processes,  the investigation so far conducted revealed that the fleeing defendants  were allegedly responsible for planning and coordinating the invasion and burning down of the High Court Complex, NCC police station in Nyanya Abuja, Complexes in Kano, Kano Printing Press, attack on Government House Kano, Kaduna Investment and Promotions Agency office, NURTW office, and several other buildings in August 2024.

He said others now at large are also being tracked for arrest, necessitating the application.

“That the arrest, investigation, and prosecution of the fleeing defendants who are now on the run will be possible if this honourable court issues a warrant of arrest for their apprehension and to declare they wanted, ” he prayed, the court to grant it in the interest of justice to enable all police officers of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to use their mechanisms to secure the lawful arrest of the fleeing defendants.

After hearing his submission, Justice Emeka Nwite granted the request, describing it as “meritorious”.

Justice Emeka Nwite had, based on an ex-parte motion filed by IGP’s lawyer, Ibrahim Mohammed, approved the police’ request to remand the protesters pending the conclusion of the investigation. 

Mohammed had accused the defendants of alleged terrorism financing aimed at overthrowing the government in power.