A Nigerian, Jonathan Biodun, who was locked up in jail over an unpaid debt of ₦1,137,000, has regained his freedom following a remarkable show of compassion from individuals across the country.
The heartwarming development came after a public campaign, sparked by social media influencers, successfully raised the funds needed to settle his debt, allowing his release from Kirikiri Correctional Centre, Lagos.
Biodun’s plight first gained attention when a group of X influencers visited the correctional facility for a friendly football match with inmates. During the event, he discreetly slipped a letter to one of the visitors, pleading for help. In the note, he named prominent online figures he recognized from social media, begging them to overlook any past missteps and assist him.
“My name is Jonathan, and I am here because of a debt of ₦1,137,000. Please help me out,” the letter read, accompanied by his spouse’s contact details.
The letter quickly went viral after being shared online, igniting a wave of sympathy and action. Sir Dickson, known on X as #Wizarab10, spearheaded the campaign, arguing, “Nobody should be in prison over a debt. It is not a criminal offence.”
Within weeks, donations poured in from compassionate Nigerians, fully covering the sum that had kept Biodun behind bars.
In a video released on Friday by Ray of Hope Prison Outreach, an emotional Biodun expressed his gratitude: “Hello, everyone. My name is Thomas Jonathan Biodun. I’m so grateful to everyone who donated or supported me. You have no idea what this freedom means to me.” His release underscores the power of collective goodwill and social media advocacy in addressing personal hardships, offering a fresh start to a man once confined by financial misfortune.”
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