A Nigerian man has gone viral after writing a letter from prison, seeking help after being locked up by a creditor over a ₦1,137,000 debt.
The plea was shared on X (formerly Twitter) by a notable influencer, @Wizarab10, who revealed that the letter was passed to him by another influencer currently in detention over the same debt.
The handwritten note read in part: “My name is Jonathan. I am here because of a debt of ₦1,137,000.”
Reacting to the situation, the influencer condemned the imprisonment, calling for support: “Nobody should be in prison over a debt. It is not a criminal offense. I have spoken to ###, and we will be taking it up. Imagine rotting in prison just because you’re poor. Thank you for your unwavering faith and support 🙏🏾.”
A lawyer also weighed in, vowing to take legal action against both the creditor and the police: “It’s quite sad. Beyond securing his release, we shall consider suing the creditor and the police. The law is clear—debt recovery cases are civil matters, not criminal. The police are not debt collectors. Anyone who reports such cases to the police will also be liable for damages.”
As the story gained traction, social media users flooded the comment section to share their thoughts on the matter.
See some reactions below:
@ROS1609: “hmm! baba, it will be shocking to you that it is not debt that will be in his charge file. my late bro was a direct victim of this, I know wetin we passed through to ensure it all ended at Panti.”
@ibnurusheed: “I think helping him pay d debt, if we can afford to, is d best solution & will allow everything to settle. Owing someone ₦1.3 million in dis economy can drive a person to d brink of madness. Even if he repays now, its value is already diminished. Lender also deserves pity o.”
@Mnl_luckyprince: “I am 90% certain that it was a lawyer who wrote a petition to the police against the inmate for “OBTAINING UNDER FALSE PRETENSE”. I have seen it happen many times.”
@EmwhyCypher: “When he is out. We should make him an ambassador to talk to people that MIS-yarn on twitter. Your post will deny you of so many opportunities who knows maybe freedom in the future. I have met people that are richer than my generation on twitter. Twitter made us friends. No jokes.”
@EpiEpifanio1: “The police might have changed the case title to another thing implicating and indicting . May we never be victim of negative circumstances inshallau.”
@AlabiAlapa2003: “There is need to educate the police on law of tort. Tjis will explain crime from civil case. I don’t think the police educate their men on criminal case and civil cases.”
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