Court orders police to justify detention of journalist Fejiro within 48 hours

Following an ex parte motion filed by Fejiro’s legal team, which was led by human rights attorney Inibehe Effiong, a Federal High Court in Asaba, Delta State, issued an order on Thursday, October 2, requiring the Nigeria Police Force to provide an explanation for why journalist Tega Oghenedoro, also known as Fejiro Oliver, should not be released after 16 days in custody.

Fejiro, the editor of the investigative news site Secret Reporters, has been a vocal opponent of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. On September 18, the governor filed a petition against him, accusing the journalist of publishing numerous damaging reports, including posts on social media in which he was referred to as the “Governor Sheriff Amuneke of Delta State.” The governor is not the only petitioner, as there have also been complaints against Fejiro from Senator Ede Dafinone, who represents Delta Central, and Hon. Stella Oketete, Executive Director of Business Development at the Nigerian Export-Import Bank.

Oketete had earlier faced public scrutiny after her ministerial nomination by President Bola Tinubu was rejected by the Senate.

Since his arrest, Fejiro has been held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Asaba without formal charges.

His lawyers, Inibehe Effiong and Austin Nyekigbe of the Nigerian Bar Association (Udu branch), told the court that he has been denied access to both legal representation and his family.

Justice Olubanjo directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police at the State CID, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, and the Nigeria Police Force to show cause within 48 hours why Fejiro should not be freed unconditionally.

Both the police and Governor Oborevwori have been served with the court order. The matter, filed as Suit No: FHC/ASB/CS/164/2025, has been adjourned to 9 October 2025 for hearing.