Features
Journalist Fejiro Oliver regain freedom after 61 days in custody
Written By: Udo Inobeme
20 Nov 2025 01:52 PM
Asaba, Delta – Prominent investigative journalist Tega Oghenedoro, known professionally as Fejiro Oliver and publisher of the online platform Secret Reporters, has regained his freedom after enduring 61 days of detention in police and prison facilities in Delta State.
The release was announced on Tuesday by his lead counsel, human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, who confirmed Oliver's liberation from the Ogwashi-Uku Correctional Centre.
Oliver, a Delta-born reporter renowned for exposing corruption and critiquing public officials, had been held since his dramatic arrest in Abuja on September 18, 2025.
His ordeal stemmed from multiple charges filed by state authorities, including two cybercrime counts at the Federal High Court in Asaba for allegedly defamatory Facebook posts targeting Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Senator Ede Dafinone (Delta Central).
Additional defamation suits at the Asaba Magistrate's Court accused him of slandering Senator Joel Onowakpo Thomas (Delta South) as a "Blockhead Senator" and Stella Okotete, Executive Director at the Nigerian Export-Import Bank, as a "rejected ministerial nominee."
Despite courts granting bail multiple times—first on October 16 at N15 million and again on October 28—authorities delayed verification of sureties for weeks, allegedly on orders from Governor Oborevwori, prompting accusations of judicial interference.
Sources report the governor personally intervened to authorize his release, following an express court order for immediate sureties verification.
Effiong hailed the development as a "victory for justice," but warned that the pending cases represent an ongoing "war on press freedom."
Rights groups, including a coalition of media advocates, have condemned the prosecution as a blatant attempt to silence critics, echoing broader concerns over shrinking civic space in Nigeria.
Oliver, who filed a N1 billion lawsuit against the governor, police, and others in October, could not be reached for comment immediately after his release. His next court dates are set for November 4 at the magistrate's court.
This case underscores the perils faced by journalists in Nigeria, where at least 10 reporters have been detained this year amid rising political tensions.
The release was announced on Tuesday by his lead counsel, human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, who confirmed Oliver's liberation from the Ogwashi-Uku Correctional Centre.
Oliver, a Delta-born reporter renowned for exposing corruption and critiquing public officials, had been held since his dramatic arrest in Abuja on September 18, 2025.
His ordeal stemmed from multiple charges filed by state authorities, including two cybercrime counts at the Federal High Court in Asaba for allegedly defamatory Facebook posts targeting Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Senator Ede Dafinone (Delta Central).
Additional defamation suits at the Asaba Magistrate's Court accused him of slandering Senator Joel Onowakpo Thomas (Delta South) as a "Blockhead Senator" and Stella Okotete, Executive Director at the Nigerian Export-Import Bank, as a "rejected ministerial nominee."
Despite courts granting bail multiple times—first on October 16 at N15 million and again on October 28—authorities delayed verification of sureties for weeks, allegedly on orders from Governor Oborevwori, prompting accusations of judicial interference.
Sources report the governor personally intervened to authorize his release, following an express court order for immediate sureties verification.
Effiong hailed the development as a "victory for justice," but warned that the pending cases represent an ongoing "war on press freedom."
Rights groups, including a coalition of media advocates, have condemned the prosecution as a blatant attempt to silence critics, echoing broader concerns over shrinking civic space in Nigeria.
Oliver, who filed a N1 billion lawsuit against the governor, police, and others in October, could not be reached for comment immediately after his release. His next court dates are set for November 4 at the magistrate's court.
This case underscores the perils faced by journalists in Nigeria, where at least 10 reporters have been detained this year amid rising political tensions.
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