Briton accused of plotting to overthrow Tinubu breaks silence

Drew Povey,  a British national declared wanted, has reacted to the allegation of building “a network of sleeper cells to topple” the Bola Tinubu administration “and plunge the nation into chaos.” On Monday, the police high command promised to reward any Nigerian who facilitates the arrest of Povey. Daily Trust reports that apart from Wynne, […]

Drew Povey,  a British national declared wanted, has reacted to the allegation of building “a network of sleeper cells to topple” the Bola Tinubu administration “and plunge the nation into chaos.”

On Monday, the police high command promised to reward any Nigerian who facilitates the arrest of Povey.

Daily Trust reports that apart from Wynne, the Force also declared one Lucky Ehis Obinyan, wanted.

In a Special Police Gazette Bulletin shared with journalists at Force Headquarters, a copy of which was obtained by Daily Trust, the force accused the duo of terrorism financing, treasonable felony, cybercrime, subversion and criminal conspiracy.

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The police said the Briton has fled the country.

It also said the suspect established the bookshop and ‘STARS of Nations Schools’ as a cover for his subversive activities.”

Reacting, Povey, in a statement written on the letterhead of his bookshop, said the mass protests over #EndBadGovernance and #EndHunger frightened the government.

“But rather than addressing the people’s demands, the government turned to repression,” he said.

The statement read in part: “PROTEST IS NOT TREASON – release all the detainees! The mass protests over #EndBadGovernance and #EndHunger frightened the government. But rather than addressing the peoples’ demands, the government turned to repression. Perhaps 40 people were murdered by the police and other the security forces, thousands were arrested and many still remain in captivity.

“In Abuja, the authorities have attacked the so called leaders and organisers of the protests. Ten people face ridiculous charges including treason, mutiny and levying war against the state. The NLC promised a general strike to protect its President, Joe Ajaero, from arrest and detention in relation to similar charges. Despite the flimsy nature of the evidence against the detainees, they face long years in prison unless the trade union movement is prepared to protect them.

“On 7th August the NLC said it, “condemns in the strongest terms the human rights violations perpetrated by security forces against peaceful protesters.” The first person to be arrested in this case was Eleojo Opaluwa. He is a former colleague of Joe Ajaero, working for NUEE, the electricians union, as an organiser in Abuja. He is also the Vice Chair of the NLC in Kogi State. He has now been detained for over 4 weeks with no tangible evidence. His family was told that he had received a WhatsApp message from one of the other alleged leaders.”