A graphic artist with Newswatch newspapers has died, reportedly of hardship arising from several months of unpaid wages. The man identified as Oni was said to have breathed his last on Monday (Oct. 13) following what a source said was his inability to treat a certain ailment in hospital.

The deceased, who hailed from the eastern part of the country, the source revealed, had lately complained of his failing health allegedly compounded by the company’s failure to pay staff salary as at when due.

The source added that Oni stayed out of office last week in protest, causing a temporary delay in pages he used to plan for one of the weekend titles.

Another source lamented: “I must say it with convinction that Oni died of starvation. If he was paid his salary he would still be alive. For a family man to have been owed a backlog of salary with no hope in sight is worrisome.”

The deceased, according to yet another source, was on the verge of resigning his appointment two months ago. “He did not hide this; why he reversed his decision even surprised his colleagues,” the source confided.

Newswatch is published by Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim, who prides himself as a corporate surgeon and turnaround expert. News Express learnt that Ibahim has not paid Newswatch staff for about four months and has remained unmoved by their outcries.

Ibrahim, who also publishes National Mirror, started Newswatch newspapers after taking over the iconic Newswatch magazine from the founders in controversial circumstances. The case remains in court.

•Photo shows Newswatch publisher Jimoh Ibrahim.