I spent 10 months in prison for resigning via text message — 26-year-old photographer

Peter Nicholas, a 26-year-old graduate of Mass Communication from Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, stumbled upon a life-changing opportunity when he secured employment with an Abuja-based photography studio owned by the notable businessman Mike Oluwole. However, his promising career soon turned into a 10-month nightmare at Keffi Correctional Centre after he resigned via text message. He tells ADEKUNLE SULAIMON about his protracted ordeal that seemed as improbable as it was cruel, how his prison experience marked his life indelibly and his journey to freedom

How did you begin your photography career?

It was a Reverend Father who helped me discover my skills. He paid for a one-year training course at a photography studio here in Abuja, where I mastered the craft of photography.

How did you get the job with your ex-boss?

There was a time I went to his office to sell a camera lens owned by a friend. That day, he mentioned that he needed a good photographer and photo editor and I presented myself. He took me through a series of photography tests and loved the outcomes. He offered me the job, although without an official letter.

He put me on probation for six months and started paying me N70,000 monthly, with the promise of a raise once I was confirmed. I only stayed less than three months at the firm before I tendered my resignation.

What made you resign?

I got a better offer elsewhere and informed him but he expressed displeasure because he wanted me to work and train others, especially as I had the editing skills required for the job. He wasn’t happy about my short notice. I had to leave because what he was paying me wasn’t enough. When I wasn’t working for him, my freelance jobs were sufficient to secure an apartment and feed myself.

You resigned, but why via a text message and not officially?

I admit that was a mistake on my part. However, since I wasn’t given an employment letter, I didn’t see the need to write a resignation letter. Moreover, I wasn’t the first person; he didn’t give anyone an employment letter.

If your text message was about resignation, why were you arrested for insulting him in the same text?

That’s not true. The message I sent on 10 October 2023 stated that I was no longer interested in working with him. To further explain my reason for resigning, I sent another text on October 14, advising him to learn leadership and management skills because of how he humiliated a colleague who collected N125,000 from a client into his personal account since the customer couldn’t pay into the company’s account.

The colleague was arrested, molested by the police, and eventually taken to their station despite reimbursing the company. After that, I lost interest in working at his studio. No staff member had ever stayed there for more than three months, though the customers weren’t aware. On October 15, he had me arrested for insulting him.

Why didn’t you reach out to your parents or loved ones when you were arrested?

My parents don’t live in Abuja. They are from Benue State but live in Akwa Ibom, and I didn’t call them when I was arrested. I thought it was something that would be resolved that day. However, I was detained and later charged at the Upper Area Court in Mpape, Abuja, where I was granted bail of N100,000, which was later reduced to N50,000.

Despite making several calls, I couldn’t raise the funds and was eventually taken to prison, where I spent 10 months.

Describe your experience in Keffi Correctional Centre

Terrible! Absolutely terrible! My first three months were hell until I met a chaplain who later helped me because I always played the keyboard in the prison’s church.  He grew fond of me. Initially, I was kept in isolation for newcomers for two weeks before being placed in a cell with 109 other inmates.

I slept on the floor and didn’t bathe for more than three months because I had no money to buy a bucket of water. The water was sold by inmates who were fortunate enough to go outside.

I also survived on prison rations. To top it all, I was in a cell with hardened criminals—robbers, kidnappers, murderers, innocent inmates awaiting justice, and those without records. There was no segregation whatsoever.

Were you compelled to do hard labour during your time in prison, or what was your daily routine like?

We didn’t do anything except sleep and hail the president and vice president of inmates in the cell at intervals.

What are your parents’ occupations, and did you inform them or your siblings that you were in prison over an unfulfilled bail condition?

My father is a retired soldier, and my mother, a trader. I didn’t inform my parents because of my mother’s underlying health conditions. Although I’m the third of six children, I didn’t inform any of my siblings.

I only contacted my elder brother, asking him to send N50,000 to complete a task this month, which he promised to do by the end of the month. I couldn’t call the other siblings because I didn’t have my phone with me. Before this incident, I was not on good terms with my father, so I kept it from my brother to prevent him from informing my father and making me appear as the bad child of the family.

Weren’t you declared missing when neighbours in your place of residence didn’t see you?

They thought I travelled. Until the matter went viral, they had no idea I was in prison.

Your ex-boss alleged that you stole the company’s phone, so you were arrested for “insulting him” and theft. How true was that?

I resigned from the job before he declared his phone missing. I believe that the text message I sent to him instigated the theft accusation.

Did you deny the theft allegation in court?

Yes, I did. That’s why I wasn’t convicted for it.

Your boss also claimed that you’d been in prison before for theft. Is that true?

Yes, I’ve spent six weeks in prison before when I had an issue with a friend who took me to court. His camera and lenses were stolen, and he didn’t believe that I wasn’t in possession of them, but we settled the matter amicably after which I left prison.

Did you reach out to your ex-boss in prison at any time to ask him to help you out?

I did, but he could only send N20,000, which wasn’t enough to meet the N50,000 bail condition. When I reached out to him, he said the warder had previously told him it was N20,000 and that he wouldn’t send more than that. Before I was sent to prison, he also sent a letter to the court stating that he was no longer interested in the case, but it was rejected because it wasn’t properly dated.

How did the Hope Behind Bars Africa Foundation hear about your illegal detention and secured your eventual release?

I have a friend, Mark, at Yiaga Africa, whom I reached out to from prison. I met him through the voluntary work I did for his platform. His number was in the book I took with me to prison, so I contacted him. He was the one who informed the Abuja-based foundation, which later came to my rescue. If they hadn’t helped me, I would probably still be there because the Upper Area Court in Abuja is no longer functional.

How has your experience in prison affected your views on power dynamics from boss to subordinate? Will it take a toll on your mental health or professional outlook?

Honestly, I was mentally down; I wasn’t myself. I couldn’t believe I spent 10 months of my life in prison. I believe he just wanted to oppress me. I’m just glad I’ve moved on and settled all rifts with my father. I’ve built a good customer database, and I just want to return to my photography. When I left prison, I visited my ex-boss to show him how dishevelled I was; he couldn’t help but give me N20,000 to take care of myself.