A Nigerian publisher, identified as Fejiro Oliver, has forgiven the young men who allegedly stole $15,000 (N8.7 million) from him.
The suspects working as gatemen in a house in the Lekki area of Lagos, reportedly broke into his apartment, tore his travel bag and stole his $15,000.
According to Fejiro, they allegedly fled to Benue, where they were eventually tracked down to and arrested.
They were charged to a Lagos court and were facing trial before Mr. Fejiro announced that he is dropping all charges against him.
Taking to Facebook on Tuesday, April 26, Fejiro, a publisher who doubles as an investigative journalist, said he has been jailed for fighting against corruption in the past and he doesn’t want the suspects to face the same experience he had and would let them go.
He also promised to empower them by setting up a petty business for them or finding a way to get them a job.
Read his full post below,
“$15,000 theft… Letting Go
I have seen the four walls of the prison in the North and South while fighting the government and corruption.
I have been behind bars.
I have slept in the dreaded Alagbon cell.
All not for crime committed but fighting for humanity
My $15,000 was stolen by five boys and I spent over N2M to get three tracked and arrested from Benue to Lagos State.
They have been cooling in prison since
But they are young
They can reinvent their life for good
They can be better for the society
When I keep them there, my heart still pricks
They have done wrong. They erred.
They have apologised
$15,000 is N8.7 million but not life taken
Nigeria is hard but not enough to steal from another man
I could see the pains in their eyes yesterday in court.
I saw regrets in their soul as they watched proceedings in the dock
I’m human. I have a heart.
My daughter want them out.
I also want them out without the conviction stain
No man should stay in prison and it shouldn’t be teenagers unless they murder, rape or commit heinous crime
I will be letting go
I will meet with them
I will also set them up in petty business or find a way to get them gainfully employed
They deserve a new lease of life
Freedom is the first need of man and if I fight for it, I should prove it though painfully
It’s #MoneyLostNOTlife
I let go.”
