Funke Adeoye, the Executive Director of Hope Behind Bars Africa (HBBA), explained that they decided to intervene in photographer, Peter Nicholas’s case because he was sent to prison without a proper investigation.
Nicholas, a 26-year-old Mass Communication graduate from Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, was thrilled to secure a job as a photographer at a prestigious studio in Abuja, owned by the well-known businessman and politician Mike Oluwole.
However, what began as a promising opportunity quickly soured, following his resignation. Peter sent his resignation via text message—a decision that led to an unexpected and harrowing 10-month ordeal at Keffi Correctional Centre (Prison).
What was supposed to be a step forward in his career turned into a deeply challenging chapter in his life.
To regain freedom, Nicholas needed to pay a lump sum of N50,000.
Speaking on News Central’s TV show, Jasiri, Peter said he resigned because of the humiliation his colleague experienced when he collected payment for service from a customer using his personal account details.
He clarified that he was not given an employment letter, so he didn’t see the need to write an official resignation letter to his boss, hence the decision to resign via text.
Peter was charged with intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace and was locked up in a room with 189 cell mates in prison. He was also alleged to have stolen a mobile phone.
“My experience in prison was the worst I ever had. I just thank God I didn’t die there. The prison system is so bad that inmates don’t even get a place to sleep.
“We don’t eat anything good. They don’t serve anything good. Apart from the poor food quality, the quantity is also small,” Peter explained.
“You don’t get water to bathe except you have money to buy water. For over three months, I was sitting and lying on the floor. I did not bathe for three months until God helped me through the chaplain in the church.”
Luck shone on Peter after Adeoye showed interest in the case, showcasing the profound impact of HBBA, a human rights and criminal justice organisation. It works tirelessly to reduce the number of awaiting trial inmates, instilling hope in the hearts of many.
Adeoye stated that there was no proper investigation before her client, Peter, was taken to court, adding that the Nigerian police were faulted by the procedure of their arrest. This was the reason the HBBA took up the case.
She stated that at some point, his boss, Oluwole Mike, a politician and owner of a popular photography studio in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), tried to get Peter out of prison by withdrawing the case but was told to pay N50,000, which he said he didn’t have at the time.
Unfortunately for Peter, the jurisdiction of the court where he was charged was removed, so they couldn’t withdraw the case.
The jailed photographer also lost the new job he got after he resigned from the previous one but was lucky to get another one during the period HBBA took up his case.
Watch the full clip below;
