In a shocking tale of power abuse and injustice, a 26-year-old Nigerian graduate named Nicholas found himself spending 10 harrowing months in prison simply for sending a resignation text to his boss.
Nicholas, a photographer and keyboardist, had decided to resign from his position at a popular photography studio in Abuja in October 2023.
However, his decision to communicate this via text message led to a series of events that would turn his life upside down.
The case only came to light two weeks ago when a concerned individual reached out to the non-profit organization, Hope Behind Bars, an advocacy group dedicated to assisting individuals trapped in the criminal justice system.
The group’s founder, Funke Adeoye, shared Nicholas’s story on social media, which quickly gained traction and sparked outrage among Nigerians.
Nicholas’s boss, a well-known politician and owner of the studio, reportedly reacted with intense anger upon receiving the resignation message. Enraged by the tone or content of the message, the boss allegedly used his influence to have Nicholas arrested.
The young man was detained by the police for two days before being charged with “intentional insult”—a charge that many legal experts consider vague and subjective.
Despite the questionable nature of the charge, Nicholas was unable to post bail, which was initially set at ₦100,000. Even after it was reduced to ₦50,000, he remained unable to afford the sum.
As a result, he was remanded in Keffi prison, where he was crammed into a cell with 189 other inmates, enduring extremely harsh conditions.
For nearly ten months, Nicholas languished in prison, even after his boss wrote to the court to withdraw the charges.
His situation remained unchanged, highlighting the often slow and inefficient nature of the Nigerian justice system, especially for those without financial means or connections.
Upon learning of Nicholas’s plight, Hope Behind Bars immediately took action. Adeoye reached out to a friend, who generously donated the ₦50,000 needed for bail.
This act of kindness finally secured Nicholas’s release from prison, bringing an end to his nightmarish ordeal.
Speaking about the case, Adeoye expressed deep concern about the abuse of power and the ease with which ordinary citizens can be unjustly imprisoned.
“After working in this space for six years, you’d think that we have heard the worst stories, but it keeps getting crazier.
“Imagine spending 10 months in prison for sending a resignation text to your boss,” she tweeted, capturing the shock and disbelief felt by many.
The story has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many Nigerians calling for the politician to be named and shamed.
The anonymity of the perpetrator has been a point of contention, with many arguing that protecting the identity of such individuals only empowers them to continue their abuse unchecked.
Christopher Ogbonna, a social media user, criticised the decision to keep the politician’s identity hidden.
“The greatest injustice you perpetuated after the fact was failing to name the politician. Nicholas is here, full name and all in the full glare of the public as the victim. Yet, the perpetrator is fully protected? We keep empowering impunity and arbitrariness with silence and anonymity,” he tweeted.
Others, however, have expressed concern about the potential repercussions of naming the politician, given Nigeria’s complex political landscape and the risks involved in confronting those with power.
“Are you willing to take the repercussions that come with naming the culprit of this injustice? If no, then just rest abeg,” another user responded, highlighting the fear that often accompanies the pursuit of justice in a country where the rule of law is frequently undermined.
