Peter Nicholas, a young graduate of Mass Communication from Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, had his life upended after securing a job at a photography studio owned by a prominent businessman in Abuja, Mike Oluwole. What began as a promising career opportunity quickly spiraled into a harrowing experience when he decided to resign via text message. This decision led to his imprisonment for ten months at Keffi Correctional Centre, a period that forever altered his outlook on life.
Nicholas discovered his passion for photography with the help of a Reverend Father who sponsored a year-long training program at a local photography studio. After mastering his craft, Nicholas found himself in need of a job. A chance encounter with Oluwole led to a position at his studio after Nicholas proved his skill during a rigorous evaluation. Although he wasn’t given an official employment letter, he started working on probation with a monthly salary of N70,000, which came with a promise of an increase upon confirmation.
However, Nicholas resigned just three months into the job after securing a better offer elsewhere. In his resignation message sent on October 10, 2023, Nicholas notified Oluwole of his decision to leave the job. He followed up with another message a few days later, criticizing Oluwole’s management style and pointing out how a fellow employee was mistreated for handling a client payment directly due to company account restrictions. Nicholas explained that this incident was the tipping point for his departure, as he had grown increasingly disillusioned with the work environment.
Oluwole was far from pleased with Nicholas’s sudden resignation, especially via text message. Tensions escalated when Nicholas was arrested on October 15, accused of both insulting his former boss and stealing a company phone. Nicholas maintained that his resignation had been straightforward and denied the theft accusation, suggesting that his critical message was the catalyst for his arrest. Despite the charges, Nicholas was never convicted of theft.
Upon arrest, Nicholas was taken to the Upper Area Court in Mpape, Abuja, where he was granted bail for N100,000, later reduced to N50,000. However, despite his efforts to reach out to friends and family, he could not raise the bail money. With his parents living far away and his relationship with his father strained, Nicholas found himself without immediate support. He was sent to Keffi Correctional Centre, where he would spend the next ten months.
Life in prison was a stark and brutal experience for Nicholas. For the first three months, he struggled without basic amenities, unable to afford even a bucket of water to bathe. He shared a cell with 109 other inmates, ranging from petty criminals to violent offenders. He survived on meager prison rations and faced the daily challenges of living in an overcrowded, unsanitary environment.
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Despite the harsh conditions, Nicholas found some solace in the prison’s church, where he played the keyboard, eventually gaining the favor of a chaplain who provided some relief. However, his mental health suffered greatly during his imprisonment, and he often felt hopeless about his situation. The daily routine in the prison was monotonous; inmates did little more than sleep and periodically acknowledge the cell’s leaders.
Nicholas’s release was only made possible through the intervention of a friend from Yiaga Africa, whom he managed to contact from prison. His friend reached out to a foundation, which eventually facilitated his release. Reflecting on his ordeal, Nicholas saw it as an abuse of power by his former employer, but he remains determined to rebuild his life and continue pursuing his passion for photography.
Now free, Nicholas hopes to focus on his craft, having already built a strong client base. Although his time in prison has profoundly impacted his mental health and outlook, he is determined to move forward. He has reconciled with his family and is eager to leave the past behind, returning to the work he loves with a renewed sense of purpose.
