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On October 2, 2025, a Federal High Court in Asaba, Delta State, issued a stern directive to the Nigeria Police, compelling them to provide justification within 48 hours for the continued detention of Tega Oghenedoro, a Delta-born journalist widely known as Fejiro Oliver. The order, delivered by Hon. Justice F. A. Olubanjo, came in response to an ex parte application filed by Fejiro’s legal counsel, prominent human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong. Fejiro, the editor of the investigative news platform Secret Reporters, has been held in custody for 16 days on allegations of cyberstalking, following his arrest on September 18, 2025, at his office in Abuja. The case has sparked widespread concern, raising questions about press freedom, the misuse of state power, and the rights of journalists in Nigeria.
Fejiro’s detention stems from a petition filed by Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who accused the journalist of publishing defamatory and derogatory content online. Among the allegations, Fejiro is said to have referred to Oborevwori as “Governor Sheriff Amuneke of Delta State” in his posts, a phrase that appears to have particularly irked the governor. The petition prompted Fejiro’s arrest, after which he was swiftly transported from Abuja to Asaba, where he has been held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) without formal charges. The journalist’s legal team, comprising Inibehe Effiong and Austin Nyekigbe, Secretary of the Udu Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, informed the court that Fejiro has been denied access to both his lawyers and his family, a situation they argue violates his fundamental rights.
The court’s order specifically directs the Deputy Commissioner of Police at the State CID in Asaba, the Commissioner of Police for Delta State Command, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, and the Nigeria Police Force to explain why Fejiro should not be released unconditionally. The respondents were formally served with the court order, and the case, registered as Suit No: FHC/ASB/CS/164/2025, has been adjourned to October 9, 2025, for further hearing. The 48-hour ultimatum underscores the court’s urgency in addressing what many see as an attempt to silence a journalist known for his unrelenting criticism of public officials.
Fejiro Oliver has built a reputation as a fearless investigative journalist through his work with Secret Reporters, a platform dedicated to exposing corruption and holding public officials accountable. His critical reporting has frequently targeted Governor Oborevwori and other political figures in Delta State and beyond. In addition to the governor’s petition, Fejiro reportedly faces complaints from Senator Ede Dafinone of Delta Central Senatorial District and Hon. Stella Oketete, the Executive Director of Business Development at the Nigerian Export-Import Bank. Oketete’s ministerial nomination by President Bola Tinubu was notably rejected by the Senate, a development that Fejiro’s reporting may have scrutinized. These petitions highlight the contentious relationship between the journalist and influential figures in Nigerian politics, raising concerns about whether his detention is a targeted effort to suppress his work.
The allegations of cyberstalking leveled against Fejiro are rooted in Nigeria’s Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, a law that has been criticized by civil society organizations for its vague provisions and potential for abuse. Critics argue that the law, particularly sections related to cyberstalking, is often weaponized by powerful individuals to silence dissent and intimidate journalists. Fejiro’s case is seen by many as emblematic of this trend, with his detention viewed as an attempt to curb his investigative journalism, which has exposed alleged mismanagement and corruption in Delta State’s governance.
Inibehe Effiong, Fejiro’s lead counsel, has been vocal in condemning the journalist’s detention, describing it as an assault on press freedom and a violation of constitutional guarantees. Effiong argued before the court that Fejiro’s prolonged detention without charges contravenes the principles of due process and fair hearing enshrined in Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution. He further highlighted the denial of access to legal counsel and family as a breach of Fejiro’s fundamental human rights, emphasizing that such actions undermine the rule of law. Effiong’s ex parte application sought not only Fejiro’s immediate release but also an injunction restraining the police from further detaining him pending the determination of the case.
The court’s decision to grant the 48-hour ultimatum reflects a recognition of the gravity of the situation and the need for swift judicial intervention. By demanding that the police justify Fejiro’s detention, Justice Olubanjo has signaled that the court will not tolerate arbitrary actions against citizens, particularly those exercising their constitutional right to free expression. The case has drawn significant attention from media organizations, human rights groups, and the public, with many calling for Fejiro’s release and an end to what they describe as the harassment of journalists in Nigeria.
Fejiro’s detention is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of challenges faced by Nigerian journalists. The country has seen a growing number of cases where reporters and media practitioners are arrested, detained, or intimidated for their work. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Nigeria remains a challenging environment for press freedom, with journalists frequently facing legal and extralegal pressures. The use of cyberstalking allegations to target journalists has become a particularly troubling trend, as it allows authorities to detain individuals without clear evidence of criminality, often under the guise of protecting public order.
The timing of Fejiro’s arrest, just weeks after his critical posts about Governor Oborevwori, has fueled speculation that his detention is politically motivated. Delta State, like many parts of Nigeria, has a complex political landscape where power struggles and allegations of corruption are commonplace. Fejiro’s reporting has often shone a light on these issues, making him a target for those who feel threatened by his work. The reference to Oborevwori as “Governor Amuneke” in his posts, while satirical, appears to have been interpreted as defamatory by the governor’s camp, prompting the petition that led to Fejiro’s arrest.
Public reaction to the case has been swift, with hashtags calling for Fejiro’s release trending on social media platforms like X. Civil society groups, including the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the International Press Institute (IPI), have issued statements condemning the detention and urging the authorities to respect press freedom. These groups argue that Fejiro’s case is a litmus test for Nigeria’s commitment to democratic principles and the protection of fundamental rights. They have also called for reforms to the Cybercrimes Act to prevent its misuse against journalists and other citizens.
As the October 9 hearing approaches, all eyes will be on the Federal High Court in Asaba to see how the case unfolds. The police’s response to the court’s 48-hour directive will be critical in determining whether Fejiro is released or if the matter escalates further. For now, the journalist remains in detention, a stark reminder of the risks faced by those who dare to speak truth to power in Nigeria. His case underscores the delicate balance between the exercise of free speech and the pressures exerted by those in authority, a tension that continues to define the struggle for press freedom in the country.
Fejiro’s supporters, including fellow journalists and human rights advocates, remain hopeful that the court will uphold justice and order his release. They argue that his detention is not only an attack on an individual but an assault on the very principles of transparency and accountability that journalism seeks to uphold. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future, making it a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s media landscape.
In the meantime, Fejiro’s legal team is preparing for the next phase of the battle, confident that the court will recognize the injustice of his detention. The case has also sparked a broader conversation about the need for legal protections for journalists and the importance of safeguarding the media’s role in a democratic society. As Nigeria grapples with these issues, Fejiro Oliver’s plight serves as a powerful reminder of the high cost of pursuing truth in the face of adversity.
