It is very likely that this was done at the behest of the Emperor himself, although in a later public statement before the Senate, Nikephoros swore that he had nothing to do with it.
Sangat mungkin bahwa ini dilakukan atas perintah Kaisar sendiri, meskipun dalam pernyataan publik kemudian di depan Senat, Nikephoros bersumpah bahwa dia tidak ada hubungannya dengan itu.