Seun Egbegbe, the Nigerian filmmaker and producer, has shared his harrowing experiences during his time in jail, describing it as a “nightmare” that tested his faith and will to survive.
Egbegbe, who was remanded in prison on February 10, 2017, faced accusations of obtaining money by false pretense from approximately 40 Bureau De Change operators between 2015 and 2017.
He was charged by the police for defrauding the operators, involving sums of $90,000, £12,550, and ₦39,098,100, under the guise of exchanging large amounts of naira into foreign currencies.
Although the court granted him bail set at ₦5 million, Egbegbe remained in custody as he was unable to meet the conditions.
His time in jail extended to five years and eight months before he was finally acquitted in 2022.
In a recent conversation with actress Biola Adebayo, Egbegbe recounted the bleak reality of his early days in jail, describing it as a place where death loomed constantly.
“I told God that if you truly exist, then I must leave here alive,” Egbegbe said, reflecting on the perilous conditions he faced. “People die every day in that prison. It is not a good place. If you go and return, thank God. Know that He loves you. He has given you a second chance to live.”
The filmmaker also provided a chilling account of the “welcome cell,” a holding area for new prisoners, where survival was uncertain. He claimed that if twenty people were brought in overnight, at least two would be found dead by morning.
Egbegbe, who was ultimately acquitted on all but one count with the help of his lawyer, expressed a desire to support inmates across Nigeria.
He revealed plans to visit prisons nationwide, aiming to offer hope and assistance to those still behind bars.
