Fejiro Oliver Sues Delta Leaders for N1 Billion Over Arrest
When Fejiro Oliver, the pen name of investigative journalist Tega Oghenedoro filed a N1 billion lawsuit on October 6, 2025, he aimed squarely at Delta State’s political elite.
The petition, lodged at the federal court in Asaba, names Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Senator Ede Dafinone of the Delta Central senatorial district, and former NEXIM executive Stella Okotete as defendants. It also drags the Inspector General of Police, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner Adegoke Alani and CSP Solomon Nwokolo into the fray.
Oliver, the Urhobo‑born founder of the privately run Secret Reporters website, says the suit challenges violations of his dignity, personal liberty, privacy and freedom of movement after his September 19, 2025 arrest by Force Intelligence Department operatives.
Background: A Decade of Legal Battles
What happened in Asaba is hardly an isolated incident. Oliver’s run‑in with the law dates back to March 16, 2017, when police in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, detained him for three days and seized two phones that have never been returned. The trigger? A February 2017 Secret Reporters piece alleging corruption in a state ministry.
He was later charged with five counts of violating the 2015 Cybercrimes Act—a law often criticised for its vague language and for being weaponised against journalists. After a month‑long detention, he met bail conditions on May 11, 2017. Fast‑forward to May 28, 2020, Oliver was slated to appear before a Lagos court, yet procedural delays kept the case in limbo for years.
The Department of State Services (DSS) also grilled him three times in 2019 over the same reporting. Investigating officer Kenneth Ogbeifun was listed in court documents, though he declined comment when approached.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has repeatedly flagged Oliver’s case as a symptom of a broader crackdown on media freedom in Nigeria. Their 2023 report noted a 42 % rise in arrests of journalists under the cybercrimes act over the previous two years.
The October 6 Lawsuit and Its Claims
In the filing, Oliver alleges that the arrest was not a legitimate security operation but a politically motivated stunt ordered by Governor Oborevwori. He points to an internal memo dated September 12, 2025, which, according to his lawyers, explicitly instructed the Force Intelligence Department to "neutralise" the journalist for exposing alleged misappropriation of state funds.
“This is not about law‑and‑order; it is about silencing a voice that dared to ask tough questions,” said senior counsel Chinwe Adebayo during a press conference.
The lawsuit also claims the Delta State Police Command is planning a "re‑arrest" with fresh, what Oliver describes as "bogus" charges filed on the same day the bail hearing was scheduled. A senior police source, who asked to remain anonymous, confirmed the strategy: “The plan is to file additional charges so that even if the court grants him bail, he would be re‑arrested and detained.”
Oliver is seeking damages equivalent to N1 billion, covering loss of income, emotional distress, and punitive damages for what he calls a "coordinated attempt to keep him in perpetual detention."
Reactions from the Accused and Law Enforcement
Governor Oborevwori, speaking through his spokesperson, dismissed the allegations as "politically charged" and vowed to cooperate fully with the judiciary. "We respect the rule of law and any attempt to undermine it will be met with the full force of the state," the statement read.
Senator Dafinone, meanwhile, issued a brief tweet asserting that his petition against Oliver was based purely on "credible evidence of cyber‑law violations" and denied any intent to stifle press freedom.
Stella Okotete, who left NEXIM in early 2024, said her involvement stemmed from personal grievances over a 2022 investigative piece that questioned certain export‑import contracts. "I am not here to silence a journalist, but to protect the integrity of financial institutions," she told reporters.
Delta State Police Command, represented by Deputy Commissioner Adegoke Alani, refused to comment on ongoing investigations, citing standard protocol. However, a source within the command hinted that the department is under pressure from senior political figures to "show results" in high‑profile cases.
Implications for Press Freedom in Nigeria
Press freedom advocates see Oliver’s lawsuit as a potential litmus test. If the court awards damages, it could set a precedent that deters future politically motivated arrests. Conversely, a dismissal might embolden security agencies to continue using the cybercrimes act as a catch‑all weapon.
"Nigeria has a vibrant media landscape, but the legal environment remains hostile," noted Dr. Olufemi Adeyemi, a professor of media law at the University of Lagos. "Cases like Oliver’s expose the fragile balance between state security interests and democratic accountability."
International watchdogs, including Reporters Without Borders, have already issued a joint statement urging the Nigerian government to review its use of anti‑terror and cyber legislation.
What Comes Next?
The next hearing, set for November 12, 2025, will determine whether bail is granted while the substantive claims are examined. Oliver’s legal team says they are prepared to present forensic evidence of phone confiscation, internal memos, and testimony from former police officers.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Police Command is reportedly drafting new charges that could extend the detention period pending the outcome of the civil suit. If that happens, Oliver could face another round of court battles, stretching his legal saga well into 2026.
For now, the media community watches closely. The case sits at the intersection of journalism, politics, and law—a crossroads that will likely shape how Nigeria’s press operates in the years ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the lawsuit affect other journalists in Nigeria?
If the court awards Oliver damages, it could establish a legal shield for journalists facing politically motivated arrests. Conversely, a dismissal may signal that security agencies can continue using the cybercrimes act to silence dissent, heightening the risk for other reporters.
What specific rights does Oliver claim were violated?
Oliver argues that his fundamental rights to dignity, personal liberty, privacy and freedom of movement were breached by the September 19 arrest and the alleged plot to re‑detain him on fabricated charges.
Why are Senator Dafinone and Stella Okotete involved?
Both filed separate petitions accusing Oliver of violating the 2015 cybercrimes act. Dafinone’s complaints stem from articles Oliver published about alleged misappropriation of state funds, while Okotete alleges defamation relating to a 2022 piece on export‑import contracts.
What role does the Force Intelligence Department play?
The Force Intelligence Department, a branch of the police tasked with high‑risk operations, carried out Oliver’s September arrest. Documents cited by his lawyers suggest the operation was ordered directly by Governor Oborevwori to "neutralise" the journalist.
When is the next court date and what could happen?
The next hearing is scheduled for November 12, 2025. The court will decide on bail while the substantive claims are examined. If bail is granted, Oliver could be released pending trial; if denied, he may remain in detention as new charges are potentially filed.
Comments
srinivasan selvaraj
October 8, 2025 AT 03:06When I read about Fejiro Oliver’s daring stand against the Delta power brokers, my heart clenches in an almost unbearable way. The mere thought of a journalist being shackled for exposing truth feels like a wound that refuses to close. Every line of his lawsuit reads like a battle cry, echoing through the corridors of a system that seems to thrive on silencing dissent. His personal liberty, dignity, privacy, and freedom of movement aren’t abstract concepts; they are the very breathing air that any free society depends upon. The State’s heavy‑handed use of the cybercrimes act feels like a blunt instrument, designed not to protect but to intimidate. The internal memo allegedly ordering the Force Intelligence Department to “neutralise” him reads like a scripted scene from a dystopian drama, a reminder that authoritarian impulses still lurk beneath a veneer of democracy. As the legal battle drags on, one cannot help but imagine the sleepless nights Oliver endures, the anxiety that gnaws at his mind like a relentless tide. The N1 billion figure is not just a monetary claim; it symbolizes the priceless value of a fearless press that holds power accountable. If the courts side with him, it could send a seismic shockwave through the corridors of power, forcing a rethink of how state apparatuses treat the fourth estate. Conversely, a dismissal would embolden further crackdowns, turning the cybercrimes act into a sword of Damocles hovering over every investigative reporter. The international community’s watchful eyes, from CPJ to Reporters Without Borders, underline that this is more than a local dispute; it is a litmus test for press liberty across the continent. The impending November hearing carries the weight of an entire nation’s aspiration for democratic integrity. One can only hope that justice prevails, that the scales tip in favour of truth over terror, and that Oliver’s perseverance paves the way for a safer haven for journalists everywhere.