Keke driver shares heartbreaking story of how he spent almost 1 year in prison because of slippers

• Wisdom Elijah, a young man working in Port Harcourt with a hired keke, was arrested on January 6, 2024, but regained his freedom on December 3, 2024.

A keke driver has recounted his experience of being incarcerated for nearly a year due to the actions of a friend regarding a pair of slippers.

The individual, identified as Wisdom Elijah, was employed in Port Harcourt and had acquired his keke through a hire purchase agreement. He was apprehended on January 6, 2024, and was released on December 3, 2024.

Wisdom explained that after finishing his workday, he agreed to transport friends who were attending a party. On his return journey, his tricycle ran out of fuel, prompting him to take a container and ask a friend to accompany him to purchase fuel from a local vendor.

After acquiring the fuel, his friend, whose slippers had become damaged, discarded them and put on a different pair found at the vendor’s premises. Wisdom stated that he was unaware of this action until the vendor confronted his friend about the slippers.

He recounted that he admonished his friend, and they both attempted to apologize to the vendor, but she refused to accept their explanations and accused them of theft. Subsequently, her husband appeared and summoned the police, leading to their arrest upon the officers’ arrival.

Wisdom reported that they spent three days in a holding cell, initially believing the situation to be trivial and that they would soon be released. However, the gravity of the matter became apparent when they were formally charged in court.

In court, they were granted bail, with one stipulation being the payment of N80,000. While they awaited the fulfillment of this condition, the court adjourned for the day, resulting in their transfer to prison.

During their time in custody, his friend’s family managed to raise the necessary funds and secured his release after three days. In contrast, Wisdom indicated that he had no contacts to assist him with the N80,000 or to act as a surety. He also mentioned his inability to access a phone while incarcerated, which led to his prolonged detention.

He further described his experience in prison, noting that he was placed in a particularly harsh cell where food and water were in short supply.

Footage of Wisdom following his release from prison depicts him appearing gaunt while a healthcare professional assesses his condition.

He did not disclose the details of how he ultimately obtained his freedom from incarceration.

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