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Who is Andrew Wynne, the Briton declared wanted for ‘funding terrorism’ in Nigeria?

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People were taken by surprise on Monday when the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) accused a foreign national of plotting a regime change in the country.

The NPF accused Andrew Wynne, a Briton, of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.

According to the police, Wynne was wanted for allegedly building a “network of sleeper cells to topple the government and plunge the nation into chaos”.

Sleeper cells are terrorist cells whose members work undercover in an area until sent into action.

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Muyiwa Adejobi, the force spokesperson, said the Briton rented a space at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) headquarters in Abuja for “Iva Valley Bookshop and established STARS of Nations Schools as a cover for his subversive activities”.

Adejobi accused the Briton of funding unconstitutional activities aimed at a regime change
“Documentary evidence and confessions revealed that Andrew Wynne issued directives, monitored progress, provided finance and operational guidance to achieve unconstitutional regime change in Nigeria,” Adejobi said.

“He mobilized and deployed several billions of naira to his Nigerian collaborators, urging them to mobilize the public to violently storm police facilities and military barracks, anticipating a bloodbath that will instigate international condemnation of the Nigerian government.

“These acts are in clear violation of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 and other relevant laws.”

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Wynne has been placed on global surveillance after fleeing the country since investigations began, the spokesperson added.

The declaration came weeks after police officers raided the Labour House in the Central Business District of Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city.

The NLC had said the operatives on the search operation “claimed that they were looking for seditious materials used for the #EndBadGovernance protests”.

The raid took place amid a 10-day nationwide protest against the pervasive economic hardship in the country which kicked off on August 1.

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WHO IS ANDREW WYNNE?

Wynne, the Briton accused of plotting against Tinubu
Not much is known about the foreigner – not even his real name. At the moment, about three variations have surfaced: Drew Povey, Andrew Povich and Andrew Wynne – last names that appear to have Russian twists.

In an interview with Channels TV, Wynne said he only has one nationality, adding that the name on his passport is Andrew Wynne.

However, the purpoted British national hinted that his real name was not public.

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“I operate with a nickname,” he said. “I think really it started as differentiating in a sense the broadly political education work I do with the bookshop.”

The political education work Wynne referred to centres around public financial management mainly in sub-Saharan Africa, according to his LinkedIn page.

“Andy is now a free-lance consultant in sub-Saharan Africa, concentrating on advising and research on public financial management in Nigeria,” the bio reads.

“Since early 2015 this has been combined with his fractional contract with the School of Management, University of Leicester.”

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Wynne is also listed as a senior lecturer at the University of Leicester on Scribd, a digital document library.

TheCable reached out to the university for confirmation but we haven’t received a response.

WYNNE, THE BOOKSTORE OWNER ‘LINKED’ TO THE SUDAN CONFLICT

Iva Valley Books, owned by Wynne, is located at the Labour House and has a stock range of socialist, economics and environmental books.

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The name of the bookstore appears to be drawn from the killing of 21 striking coalminers on November 18, 1949, at the Iva Valley mines, Enugu, according to an article written by Socialist Workers League, and published on the bookstore’s website. The association has asked the police to drop the terrorism charges against Wynne.

Wynne has also listed his research interests to include “identifying existing good practice within public financial management in sub-Saharan Africa”.

“He is currently researching the development of financial reporting standards in the Nigerian public sector and the most appropriate approach for internal audit,” his LinkedIn bio added.

“He is finalising papers on the adoption of the Cash Basis IPSAS in Nepal and the independence of the two main audit bodies in Franco-phone Africa, the General State Inspectorate and the Court of Accounts.”

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On Slideshare, a Scribd company, Wynne is named as an advisor to African governments on accounting, finance and audit reforms with affliations to the military as well.

“I’ve been visiting Nigeria for 25 years. I’ve had a bookshop in the NLC office right in the center of Abuja for seven years and all that time, of course, the security forces have paid no interest in me,” Wynne told Channels TV, while expressing confusion at the “sudden” scrutiny.

Some days after the raid on the NLC House, Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP), said the “mastermind of the Sudan conflict was traced” to the building.

‘WIFE’: MY HUSBAND IS INNOCENT

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Helen Batubo, who is believed to be Wynne’s partner, said allegations against him are unfounded.

Batubo, who was also invited by the police for questioning, alleged that security operatives raided her home in Karshi, a satelite town on the outskirts of Abuja, in an attempt to find incriminating materials.

According to Batubo, she got married to Wynne last year after eight years of friendship.

“My husband is falsely accused. He’s never been a terrorist,” she said.

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Batubo claimed that Wynne is being accused wrongly because of a debtor who has refused to pay the Briton an unspecified amount owed and has resorted to using the law against him.

Batubo is the principal of Stars of Nations Schools in Nasarawa, which Wynne owns. A statement issued by Femi Falana, senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and human rights lawyer, described Batubo as Wynne’s stepdaughter.

WYNNE: I’M READY TO COOPERATE

Speaking further in the interview with Channels, Wynne said he is more than happy to talk to the police.

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The police spokesperson had said the Briton fled Nigeria once investigations commenced. However, the bookstore owner denied the allegations.

“I am not aware that I am a fugitive. I am not aware that I am running away from the law,” he said.

“I am more than happy to talk to the police. I’m more than happy to have a discussion on WhatsApp, on Zoom. I’m more than happy to go to London and meet with officials from the Nigerian High Commission if they want to start the conversation.”

The Briton said he left the country on August 4 for “vacation”.

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Wynne also said claims that he goes under the name of Andrew Povich, a Russian sounding name, and that he has now left Nigeria for Russia are false.

The foreigner did not reveal his current location.

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SEE 20 billionaires supporting Trump and Kamala in the race for The White House

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By Mario Deepromoter

The race for the United States Presidency has reached a fever pitch. As the US presidential election draws close, the financial backing of billionaires has become a defining factor in the campaigns of leading candidates.

Donald Trump, the Republican party candidate and Kamala Harris, who took the baton from President Biden for the Democratic party, continue to rally the support of some of America’s wealthiest, drawing powerful endorsements from influential figures in the country seeking to shape its future.

Elections are run with money, and political parties and their candidates require a lot of it to run successful campaigns. This process is supported by the high and mighty who donate good money towards the government they wish to see in power. These funds cover a range of expenses, including advertising, staffing, travel, and organising events.

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From business partners to friends, acquaintances and wealthy individuals who want to see the tide turn in their favour, here are 20 billionaires supporting Trump and Kamala as the next US President.

Billionaires supporting Donald Trump
1. Elon Musk
Perhaps being Donald Trump’s biggest fan on X, which he now owns, the world’s richest man Elon Musk could also be Trump’s loudest supporter. In July, the founder worth, $250.8 billion announced plans to commit around $45 million a month to a new super political-action committee, called America PAC, backing former President Donald Trump’s presidential run.

2. Linda McMahon
Linda McMahon is the wife of Vince McMahon, the former CEO of WWE. McMahon, who is currently worth $3.1 billion had made up to $16 million in donations to Trump groups to support his election campaign. She chairs the pro-Trump nonprofit America First Policy Institute, serving on the board of Truth Social’s parent company, Trump Media and Technology Group.

3. Diane Hendricks
“I know how hard it is to build a company from nothing,” she said. “And we need a president who understands that too,” Diane Hendricks, called America’s richest self-made woman, said on stage at the Republican National Convention in her home state of Wisconsin last month. Forbes says that the $20.9 billion-worth entrepreneur has already pumped $6 million into groups that support him.

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4. Andrew Beal
American banker and businessman, Andrew Beal gave more than $4 million to Trump committees and other GOP groups in 2020. The $12.2 billion- valued investor is now betting on Trump again, putting $1.8 million behind Trump’s 2024 ticket.

5. Kelcy Warren
Kelcy Warren, the billionaire in energy has been fond of Trump. Warren had given $100,000 to help elect him in 2016, then dropped more than $11 million in 2020. This time around, he has given about $6 million to support Trump’s campaign. Warren’s Energy Transfer is best known for the Dakota Access Pipeline, which Trump helped expedite in one of his first acts in office.

6. Elizabeth Uihlein & Richard Uihlein
Liz and Dick Uihlein are among the Republican party’s most generous donors, giving tens of millions per cycle. The couple have donated $5 million to trump groups according to Forbes. In 2021, the duo celebrated Trump’s “America First” trade policies and called out publicly-held companies for being “too concerned about their stock share price.”

7. Phil Ruffin
Ruffin is a significant Donald Trump donor, as well as his business partner and close friend. His donations to Trump’s PACs and committees have reached $3.3 million so far this cycle, surpassing his combined donations from the last two elections.

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8. Geoffrey Palmer
Geoffrey Palmer is one of the largest apartment developers in Los Angeles, with nearly 13,000 units in the greater L.A. metro area. Palmer is a major financial backer of former president Donald Trump, donating some $16 million to his campaigns and PACs from 2016 to 2022. This year, he’s up to $3 million. The developer is worth $3.1 billion.

9. J.Joe.Ricketts
Ricketts, whose family owns the Chicago Cubs, poured $3 million into a Republican anti-Trump group back in 2016 with his wife. They have given a combined $2 million to Trump groups so far this time around, betting against Kamala.

10. Jimmy John Liautaud
Since Jimmy John sold the majority of his business to a private equity firm, he has gotten more involved in politics, as has his wife Leslie. She backed Trump in 2016 and 2020 and John joined her this year, giving $2.8 million to Trump groups so far.

Billionaires supporting Kamala Harris
1. Mark Cuban
The billionaire Shark Tank star and former principal owner of the Dallas Mavericks is one of the Democrats’ most valuable supporters. Valued at US$5.4 billion according to Forbes, Cuban, who is known to have attended a Joe Biden fundraiser, has retweeted various posts about Harris’ campaign, and signed the “VCs for Kamala” pledge.

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2. Reid Hoffman
LinkedIn co-founder, Reid Hoffman has been a long-time Democratic donor and wasted no time backing Harris after Biden dropped. In January, he poured $2 million into a super political action committee (PAC) for Biden’s campaign. The former CEO, worth $2.5 billion plans to open a fundraiser for Harris and has been reported to push Netflix chairman Reed Hastings to donate US$7 million to a PAC supporting the current Vice President.

3. Vinod Khosla
Vinod Khosla, founder of Khosla Ventures, and OpenAI investor has backed Harris to win the elections in November following the withdrawal of President Biden, who he hosted a fundraiser for in May. Worth $7.2 billion per Forbes, the entrepreneur has donated to Super PACs in support of Harris.

4. Chris Sacca
Chris Sacca made early bets investing in Twitter and Uber through his venture capital firm Lowercase Capital. Now he’s making bets of Kamala Harris to be the next US president after donating to Biden’s campaign before he dropped out. Sacca noted that he and his partner Clay Dumas have “invested millions of dollars and countless hours helping build organisations and companies that we think have the best shot at giving blue candidates an edge in a game that is rigged against them.”

5. Eric Schmidt
Worth $22.5 billion per Forbes, the former CEO of Alphabet has given $1.6 million to Future Forward PAC, a Democratic super PAC, and $1.16 million to the Biden Victory Fund.

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6. Dustin Moskovitz
Moskovitz, who helped to launch Facebook (now Meta Platforms) in 2004, gave up to $929,600 to the Biden Victory Fund before he dropped out of the race. Now, he has directed his attention to Kamala who goes against the same opponent, Trump.

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IG Orders Redeployment Of FCT, Rivers, Delta CPs

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By Mario Deepromoter

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed the redeployment of the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, to FCT command.

The shake-up also affects the Delta State Police Command, with CP Abaniwonda Olufemi being reassigned to the Rivers State Command.

In his place, CP Peter Opara who was recently posted to the FCT command, has been appointed as the new Commissioner of Police for Delta State.

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The Force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Thursday, said the redeployment was to ensure effective policing in the affected states.

He said, “The Inspector-General of Police in an effort to strategically emplace a Police Force well efficient for effective policing, has ordered the immediate redeployment of the Commissioners of Police of Rivers State Command, Delta State Command, and the Federal Capital territory.

“The order covers the redeployment of the CP Rivers State Command, CP Olatunji Disu as the new CP FCT; CP Delta State Command, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi as the new CP Rivers State Command and CP FCT, CP Peter Opara as the new CP Delta State.”

Adejobi also said the IG, in accordance with the approval of the Police Service Commission, has deployed four CPs to Lagos, Abia, Ebonyi, and Akwa-Ibom States.

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He said, “In addition, following the approval of the Police Service Commission, the Inspector-General of Police has also deployed four CPs as Commissioners of Police for Abia, Lagos, Ebonyi, and Akwa-Ibom State Commands.

“The deployment includes the posting of CP Danladi Nda to Abia State Command, CP Olanrewaju Ishola Olawale to Lagos State Command, CP Anthonia Adaku Uche-Anya, FDC to Ebonyi State Command and CP Festus Eribo to Akwa-Ibom State Command.

“The posting of these strategic managers reflects the mission of the Inspector-General of Police to strategically reposition the Police Force and ensure maximum utilization of human resources available to the Force. “

He stated that the IG urged the CPs to be innovative and ensure personnel are diligent in their duties.

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Adejobi said, “The IGP has, however, urged the new CPs of State Commands to ensure diligence in the discharge of their lawful duties and adopt innovations that could mitigate security challenges in their respective areas of responsibility. He further encouraged them to key into the police reform plans, which will help the progress of the Nigeria Police Force and the growth of the country in general.”

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Credible Intel Indicates Tinubu’s Defence Minister Matawalle Involved in Banditry – Zamfara Gov Alleges

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has made a startling disclosure, alleging Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Bello Matawalle, of involvement in banditry in the North-West region.

Speaking during an interview on TVC’s Politics Tonight on Wednesday night, Lawal cited credible information suggesting that his predecessor, Matawalle, played a significant role in the ongoing security crisis.

From all the information we’re getting, my predecessor was fully involved in some of this banditry issue,” Lawal stated. His comments come as northern Nigeria continues to grapple with relentless bandit attacks, particularly in Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina states. This is not the first time such allegations have been raised against Matawalle. In July, notorious bandit leader Kachallah Bello Turji had made similar accusations, claiming that the former Zamfara governor had been supporting terrorism in the region. Turji, in a video statement, maintained that Matawalle was involved in the rising wave of violence, an allegation that stirred significant controversy. However, Matawalle has consistently denied these claims. His media consultant, Deyemi Saka, labelled the accusations as unfounded and baseless, dismissing them as attempts to tarnish the minister’s reputation. Despite this, Turji and now Governor Lawal remain firm in their assertions, keeping the spotlight on Matawalle’s alleged connection to the banditry crisis.

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The accusation against a high-ranking government official comes at a time when northern Nigeria is plagued by severe security challenges, with banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism escalating in various states. The federal government’s response to these claims and the overall situation remains to be seen.

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