Outrage As Nigerian Man Writes Letter From Prison Over ₦1.1m Debt

A Nigerian man, identified as Jonathan, has gone viral after writing a letter from prison, pleading for help following his detention over a ₦1,137,000 debt.

His handwritten appeal was shared on X (formerly Twitter) by popular influencer @Wizarab10, who revealed that another detainee—also in prison over a debt-related case—passed the letter to him.

In the letter, Jonathan simply stated: “My name is Jonathan. I am here because of a debt of ₦1,137,000.”

Condemning the imprisonment, the influencer called for urgent intervention, stating, “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.”

A lawyer also weighed in on the case, vowing legal action against both the creditor and the police for wrongful imprisonment. “This is quite sad. Beyond securing his release, we will consider suing the creditor and the police. Debt recovery cases are civil matters, not criminal offenses. The police have no right to detain someone over a debt. Those who misuse the system will be held accountable,” the lawyer stated.

As the story gained traction, social media users expressed outrage, with many calling for urgent legal reforms to prevent similar cases.

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. This 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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