Mike Oluwole, former employer of Abuja-based photographer Nicholas Peter, has addressed the circumstances surrounding Peter’s 10-month detention at Keffi Correctional Centre following allegations of theft and defamation.
According to the PUNCH on Monday, Oluwole described Peter as a “frivolous character” and justified the photographer’s arrest due to his alleged mismanagement, theft, and defamation
Oluwole recounted how Peter initially came to his office to sell a camera lens, claiming it belonged to a bedridden friend.
Despite suspicions, Oluwole employed Peter after he passed a series of photography tests, offering him a monthly salary of N70,000.
However, Oluwole noted that Peter frequently defaulted on financial obligations under the company’s ‘I Owe You (IOU)’ scheme, designed to relieve staff of financial burdens until payday.
Following Peter’s resignation via text message, Oluwole discovered that an office phone had gone missing. CCTV footage revealed that Peter had disconnected and reconnected the office camera shortly before resigning. This prompted Oluwole to report Peter to the police, leading to his arrest.
Peter was detained and questioned for several days before his case was transferred to court. Oluwole claimed that Peter eventually confessed to the theft but noted that it was too late to halt the prosecution.
Despite mounting pressure for Peter’s release, Oluwole’s efforts to withdraw the case were unsuccessful due to procedural issues with his letter to the court.
Oluwole expressed shock at a viral tweet by Funke Adeoye, founder of Hope Behind Bars Africa, highlighting Peter’s detention. He accused Adeoye’s foundation of exploiting the situation for fundraising, noting that Adeoye never contacted him for his side of the story.
Adeoye responded that her foundation provides free legal services to indigent inmates and emphasized that Nicholas’s release was facilitated through donations. She denied using the situation to taunt Oluwole or his business, stating that the post was intended to raise awareness and support for Peter’s plight.
The case has sparked significant attention on social media, with many Nigerians expressing support for Peter and calling for accountability from all parties involved.
