The Federal Government (FG) has filed treason charges against 10 protesters, including a British citizen, Andrew Martin Wynne (also known as Andrew Povich), in connection with the recent nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests. The 10 defendants are Michael Tobiloba Adaramoye (also known as Lenin), Adeyemi Abiodun Abayomi (also known as Yomi), Suleiman Yakubu, Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo Simeon, Angel Love Innocent, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Bashir Bello (also known as Murtala), Nuradeen Khamis, and Abdulsalam Zubairu.
Also included are Lucky Ehis Obiyan and Comrade Musa Abdullahi; both are currently at large.
The charge sheet filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja reads, “That you, the above-named defendants, along with others including Andrew Martin Wynne (aka Andrew Povich), a British citizen, male, Lucky Ehis Obiyan, male, Comrade Musa Abdullahi, male, and others now at large, are accused of conspiring between July 1, 2024, and August 4, 2024, at Karshi, Abuja FCT, within the jurisdiction of this court, with the intent to destabilize Nigeria by committing felony, to wit: treason. This offense is contrary to Section 96 and punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.
“The same individuals and others, including Andrew Martin Wynne (aka Andrew Povich), a British citizen, male, 70 years, Lucky Ehis Obiyan, male, and Comrade Musa Abdullahi, male, now at large, between July 1, 2024, and August 4, 2024, at Karshi, Abuja FCT, within the jurisdiction of this court, are accused of acting in concert with the intent to destabilize Nigeria by inciting mutiny. This offense is contrary to Section 96 and punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.
“The accused, along with Andrew Martin Wynne (aka Andrew Povich), male, 70 years, Lucky Ehis Obiyan, male, and Comrade Musa Abdullahi, male, now at large, between July 1, 2024, and August 10, 2024, in Abuja FCT, Kaduna, Kano, and Gombe, are accused of acting in concert to levy war against the state with intent to intimidate or overawe the President by attacking and injuring police officers and burning police stations, the High Court Complex, NCC Complex, Kano Printing Press, Government House Kano, Kaduna Investment and Promotions Agency office, NURTW office, and several other buildings. This offense is contrary to Section 410 of the Penal Code (Northern States) Federal Provisions Act CAP P3LFN.
“The accused, along with Andrew Martin Wynne (aka Andrew Povich), male, 70 years, Lucky Ehis Obiyan, male, and Comrade Musa Abdullahi, male, now at large, between July 1, 2024, and August 10, 2024, in Nyanya, Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Gombe, Katsina, and other states within the jurisdiction of this court, are accused of inciting mutiny by calling on the military to take over the government from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by chanting ‘Tinubu must go’ and ‘soja muskeso’ (meaning ‘it is the military we want’), while rioting and disturbing public peace. This offense is contrary to Section 413 of the Penal Code (Northern States) Federal Provisions Act CAP P3 LFN.
“The accused, along with Andrew Martin Wynne (aka Andrew Povich), male, 70 years, Lucky Ehis Obiyan, male, and Comrade Musa Abdullahi, male, now at large, between July 1, 2024, and August 10, 2024, in Abuja FCT, Jos, Kano, Kaduna, Gombe, Katsina, and other states within the jurisdiction of this court, are accused of inciting public disturbance and disaffection towards the government by carrying placards with inscriptions like ‘end bad government’ to incite public unrest. This offense is contrary to Section 416 of the Penal Code (Northern States) Federal Provisions Act CAP P3 LFN.
“The accused, along with Andrew Martin Wynne (aka Andrew Povich), male, 70 years, Lucky Ehis Obiyan, male, and Comrade Musa Abdullahi, male, now at large, between July 1, 2024, and August 10, 2024, in Abuja FCT, Jos, Kano, Kaduna, Gombe, and Katsina, are accused of conspiring with the intent to destabilize Nigeria and remove the President by unconstitutional means. They allegedly mobilized their members to force their way into Abacha Army Barracks, Government House Kano, and destroyed the High Court, Printing Press, and NCC Complexes in Kano.”
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the six-count charge and the presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite ordered their remand pending the hearing and ruling on their bail application, scheduled to take place on September 11, 2024.