The accused individuals, ranging from minors as young as 14 to adults in their 30s, face a multitude of charges for their alleged involvement in treasonable acts, public disorder, and violent conspiracies. Several high-profile figures, including a 70-year-old British national named Andrew Martin Wynne (also known as Andrew Povich), have also been implicated in orchestrating and inciting acts of rebellion against the Nigerian government.
Details of the Charges:
The case involves ten separate counts of criminal activities, including treason, incitement to mutiny, destruction of public properties, and participation in violent protests. Each of these counts accuses the defendants of significant wrongdoing, including attempts to incite rebellion and topple the Nigerian government.
Count One:
The prosecution alleges that the defendants conspired together to destabilize Nigeria by committing felonious acts between July 31 and August 4, 2024. The charges accuse the individuals of working together to undermine national security in both Abuja and Kano. Key figures such as Nura Ibrahim (24 years), Abdulbasi Abdulsalam (34 years), and Ahmed Yusuf (25 years) are listed as primary defendants. This count falls under Sections 96 and 97 of the Penal Code.
Count Two:
The accused individuals are charged with further conspiracy to commit felonies between the same period, with a particular focus on their attempts to organize and carry out treasonable activities aimed at inciting mutiny and creating public disorder. This includes mobilizing large groups of individuals to challenge law enforcement and disrupt public peace.
Count Three:
The defendants are accused of openly calling for military intervention to overthrow the Nigerian government. The charges specifically allege that the defendants, led by figures such as Andrew Martin Wynne and Comrade Musa Abdullahi, actively engaged in inciting mutiny, chanting slogans like “Tinubu must go” in public demonstrations. The prosecution cites the defendants’ efforts to incite the military to intervene in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Count Four:
This count accuses the defendants of attacking and injuring police officers, setting fire to government buildings, and burning police stations during protests in several locations, including Abuja, Kano, and other key cities. The allegations state that the accused acted violently to intimidate the government and enforce their demands through violent means.
Count Five:
The defendants allegedly incited riots and public unrest by carrying placards and chanting slogans that called for a military coup. The prosecution claims that this attempt to overthrow the government led to widespread disruption and damage to public and private properties. This count falls under Section 413 of the Penal Code.
Count Six:
This count outlines the defendants’ alleged involvement in inciting public disaffection against the government by staging protests and distributing materials that spread anti-government sentiments. These activities are claimed to have been aimed at inciting violence and unrest, further contributing to public disorder in key urban centers.
Count Seven:
The accused are alleged to have carried Russian flags while chanting revolutionary songs during violent protests, urging the Russian government to intervene in Nigerian affairs. The prosecution argues that the defendants willfully damaged government infrastructure, including the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) office and NCC Digital Industrial Park. Over 23 government vehicles were set on fire at the Audu Bako Secretariat Complex in Kano State. This count is charged under the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Count Eight:
The defendants are charged with further acts of vandalism, specifically targeting key state buildings such as the Audu Bako Secretariat in Kano and State Communication Complexes. The prosecution claims that the defendants acted to destroy key infrastructure and cause large-scale disruption of governmental services in Kano and Abuja.
Count Nine:
The accusations in this count center on the widespread looting and vandalism of government buildings, including Kano State University, Barakat Store, and other facilities. The defendants allegedly stole and destroyed electrical cables, computers, doors, and windows, resulting in substantial property damage.
Count Ten:
In this count, the prosecution alleges that the defendants maliciously set fire to the JMG Generator House at the NCC Digital Industrial Park and destroyed essential infrastructure, causing significant disruptions to government operations. They also allegedly displayed Russian flags during protests, inciting revolutionary songs and encouraging foreign interference in Nigerian sovereign affairs.
Key Figures:
Among the 76 defendants, several notable figures have been identified as key organizers and instigators of the alleged activities:
• Nura Ibrahim(24 years) and Ahmed Yusuf(25 years) are named as central figures in the conspiracy.
• Andrew Martin Wynne, a 70-year-old British national, is accused of playing a major role in organizing and encouraging these actions. He is alleged to have led efforts to incite mutiny and foreign intervention in Nigerian political affairs.
• Comrade Yusufand Musa Abdullahiare also accused of being central figures in mobilizing large groups to participate in violent protests.
Prosecution’s Evidence and Witnesses:
The prosecution has listed several high-ranking officers and investigators who will serve as witnesses. These include:
• SP Nura Ibrahimand SP Ahmed Yakubu, who have provided forensic analysis of telephone records that allegedly link the defendants to each other and to the larger conspiracy.
• SP Moses Pauland DSP Abduraman Mohammed, who will provide evidence gathered from the investigation, including documents and exhibits from the locations where the crimes were allegedly committed.
• Other officers from State CID Kanowill testify to the findings from their investigations into the defendants’ actions.
The prosecution has indicated that they may call further witnesses as the trial progresses.
