Why 26-year-old Abuja-based photographer was arrested and jailed for 10 months

Monday, September 2, 2024 -The former boss of the 26-year-old photographer detained in Keffi Correctional Centre after he resigned via text message has broken his silence following an outcry on social media.

 Mike Oluwole, the former boss of Nicholas Peter, spoke to Punch on Monday, September 2.

Oluwole said Nicholas came to his office to sell a camera lens, which he later discovered to be allegedly stolen.

 He told the publication: "When he came to my office to sell the camera lens, I asked about its owner. He claimed that it belonged to his friend, and I put him on the spot to confirm. I made him sign that he sold it to me. I then told him how much I needed a good photographer and photo editor and he showed interest. I put him on a series of photography tests, which he passed outstandingly.

"I then employed him on probation for six months with a monthly pay of N70,000, and he consented. But I noticed something with Nicholas: he is always demanding. My company has a scheme called ‘I owe you (IOU)’ to help relieve staff members of their financial burdens until the end of the month when they get their salaries to repay. He was always defaulting in the scheme and would beg me to help him spread the pay beyond the next month.

 "When he resigned, he only sent a text, and I asked him if that was the appropriate way to go about things. He then began to insult me, advising me on how to go about human management and leadership.

 "I learned that our office phone was missing; I rang him to no avail after CCTV revealed that a day before his resignation, he had returned to the office, disconnected the office camera, and connected it while heading out. Unperturbed by his actions that are costing my customer database, I reported him to the police, and he was arrested."

He said the photographer was questioned about the disappearance of the phone for days before his case was transferred to the court. Oluwole alleged that Nicholas later confessed to stealing the phone, but it was too late to stop the prosecution.

 He said that after being pressured, he wrote to the Upper Area Court, Mpape in Abuja, where Nicholas was prosecuted, to stop the case, but his letter was not approved.

 "I heard that the letter was rejected because it was not properly written, of which I did due diligence. I learned about the bail fee when he got to Keffi Correctional Centre. At first, he said it was N20,000, which I sent to one of the people he contacted to beg me for his release. He rang me again and said that it was N50,000. I didn’t believe him because he had always had a distrust for him. So, I informed them to refund me.

 "I did all I could to facilitate his release, and when he returned, he came to my office, and I sent N20,000 to him again with the promise that I would help him get an offer if he changed for good."