Two weeks after his controversial arrest, investigative journalist Fejiro Oliver remains behind bars in Delta State, sparking outrage over what critics describe as a gross abuse of power by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the Nigerian police.
Oliver, who was arrested in Abuja on September 19, 2025, and flown to Asaba by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department (FID), is being held over allegations of cybercrime, accusations widely dismissed as a smokescreen for political persecution.
His “crime,” according to sources, was referring to Governor Oborevwori as “Amuneke”, a remark the governor reportedly took as an insult to his office and person.
Despite calls from civil society groups and press freedom advocates for his immediate release, Oliver continues to languish in detention.
A source familiar with the matter revealed that the police are acting solely on the governor’s directives, with no legitimate grounds for holding him.
“The governor vowed to teach Fejiro a lesson and has refused to allow his release because of the ‘Amuneke’ remark,” the source disclosed.
The development has raised fundamental questions about free speech, abuse of executive influence over law enforcement, and the shrinking civic space in Nigeria.
This is not the first time Governor Oborevwori’s administration has come under fire for intolerance of criticism.
Just days before Oliver’s arrest, his Special Assistant on Media, Okono Kelvin, launched a crude online tirade against activist Omoyele Sowore, threatening him to stay away from Delta State.
Kelvin’s vulgar post, riddled with insults, drew widespread condemnation from Nigerians who accused the state government of promoting thuggery rather than democratic tolerance.
Observers now say Oliver’s continued detention further exposes a dangerous trend in Delta State: the weaponization of the police against dissenting voices. Critics warn that if left unchecked, such authoritarian impulses will deepen the culture of fear, silence journalists, and erode democracy.
As one commentator put it: “This is no longer about Fejiro Oliver; it is about whether ordinary Nigerians still have the right to speak truth to power without being locked up.”
Credit: SaharaReporters except headline
An Igbo adage said, “one who does not expect to attain chieftaincy titles, if he eventually attain it. He will wear his ankle-tread at knee level”. This is the case of the calibre of leaders we enthroned in Africa 🌍 😉. It is an epidemic. The servants of the people, has suddenly become the masters of their owners.