Andrew Wynne, a 70-year-old retired accountant from Leicester, UK, finds himself in an unexpected predicament. Nigerian authorities have accused him of being the mastermind behind a plot to overthrow the government of President Bola Tinubu, who assumed office in May 2023.
Wynne, who operated a second-hand bookstore in Abuja, Nigeria's capital, learned of the accusations in early August 2024. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) building, where his shop was located, was raided by armed men who confiscated all books and documents.
The raid occurred in the aftermath of nationwide protests against the rising cost of living and inflation, which had erupted on August 1, 2024. These demonstrations, partly inspired by similar events in Kenya, quickly escalated, resulting in numerous arrests and fatalities.
Nigerian security forces allege that Wynne financed a network of operatives to incite public unrest and attack government facilities. A wanted poster circulated with Wynne's image, offering a reward of 10 million naira (approximately £5,000) for information on his whereabouts.
Wynne vehemently denies these allegations, stating, "I'm a 70-year-old retired accountant, not an international terrorist." He believes he became an easy target as a wealthy foreigner with connections to trade unions.
The accused's background paints a different picture from the alleged criminal mastermind. After graduating from the University of London in the late 1970s, Wynne taught in Sudan for three years. He later became an accountant and lecturer at Leicester University before taking on consultancy projects across Africa in 2000.
Seven years ago, Wynne opened Iva Valley Books as a retirement hobby, selling socialist, feminist, and environmental literature. Despite its anti-establishment leanings, the shop had never attracted police attention until now.
The situation has had severe consequences for those associated with Wynne. His sole employee, Yomi, was arrested and is now facing treason charges along with nine others. They could potentially face the death penalty if convicted.
Nigerian authorities have also claimed that Wynne goes by the name Andrew Povich, allegedly attempting to link him to Russia. This comes in the context of recent coups in neighboring countries leading to military agreements with Moscow, raising concerns about potential Russian influence in the region.
"Documentary evidence and confessions revealed that Andrew Wynne issued directives, monitored progress, provided finance and operational guidance to achieve unconstitutional regime change in Nigeria."
Wynne dismisses these claims as propaganda, asserting that he has no connections to Russia beyond two brief visits in the past.
As Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation with over 200 million inhabitants and the continent's largest economy, grapples with security challenges and economic difficulties, this bizarre case has added another layer of complexity to the country's political landscape.
For now, Wynne remains in the UK, uncertain about his future prospects in Nigeria. "If I wanted to commit suicide, I would go back," he remarks, reflecting the gravity of his situation despite the seemingly absurd nature of the accusations against him.