By Our Investigator
It was a charged Monday morning in Asaba as journalists, police officers, and a crowd of onlookers gathered around the Magistrate Courts along Ibusa Road.
Inside the packed courtroom, investigative journalist and Secret Reporters publisher, Fejiro Oliver, stood once again before the law, this time, on two fresh defamation charges filed by the Delta State Government.
Fejiro, known for his fearless commentaries and no-holds-barred exposes on political figures, was granted bail by two different Magistrates in the separate cases. Yet, the journalist remains behind bars, not for lack of bail, but allegedly because a state agency refuses to verify his bail documents.
The new cases, marked CMA/529C/2025 and CMA/530C/2025, were filed through the Attorney General of Delta State.
In the first, Fejiro is accused of defaming Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas (Delta South Senatorial District) by calling him a “Blockhead Senator” and “Politically useless” in a social media post.
In the second, he is accused of publishing a similarly critical post about Hon. Stella Okotete, Executive Director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) and a rejected ministerial nominee of President Bola Tinubu.
At the Magistrate Court 3, presided over by Magistrate Edith Nkechi Anumadu, Fejiro was granted bail after Austin Nyekigbe, Esq., representing the defence team led by Inibehe Effiong, Esq., argued that the charges were politically motivated and unjustified.
Moments later, Magistrate Patricia Onyeisi Okoh of a neighbouring courtroom Court 2) also granted bail to Fejiro in the second case concerning Okotete.
For the prosecution, A. O. Orhorhoro, Esq., the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), appeared with T. R. Anuhwin, Esq., both from the Delta State Ministry of Justice.
Though bail was granted in both cases, Fejiro remains in detention pending verification of his documents, a process that has inexplicably stalled for weeks.
Ministry of Lands Accused of Blocking Bail Verification
Sources within the defence team told this Newspaper that Fejiro Oliver had met all bail conditions in an earlier Federal High Court case filed by the Inspector General of Police, which accused him of cyberstalking Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Senator Ede Dafinone (Delta Central).
However, officials at the Delta State Ministry of Lands and Survey, responsible for verifying landed property documents submitted as surety, have refused to verify the documents, effectively keeping Fejiro Oliver in detention.
renowned human rights crusader and radical lawyer, Omes Ogedegbe, speaking on the courtroom, described the development as “a shameful abuse of state power.”
“Fejiro Oliver has fulfilled all legal obligations for his release,” Ogedegbe said.
“The Ministry of Lands has deliberately refused to verify his documents for reasons that have nothing to do with law and everything to do with politics. This is persecution, not prosecution.”
Court Drama: Thugs, Cameras, and Fear
As proceedings unfolded, tension simmered outside the court premises.
Eyewitnesses reported the presence of suspected political thugs roaming around the Ibusa Road entrances, the same pattern observed during Fejiro’s earlier court appearances at the Federal High Court, Asaba.
Inside, journalists filled the courtrooms to capacity, with many standing by windows, holding cameras and phones aloft to capture the tense proceedings.
The mood was thick with unease and curiosity, part courtroom, part theatre of political drama.
A senior journalist in Asaba, who requested anonymity, remarked:
“Every time Fejiro appears in court, the atmosphere turns volatile. It feels less like a legal proceeding and more like a battle for freedom of speech itself.”
Rights Groups Condemn, Demand Safety
The Centre for Civic Liberty and Media Accountability (CCLMA), in a statement on Monday evening, condemned the continuous intimidation of Fejiro Oliver and other journalists investigating public officials.
Mrs. Grace Umukoro, spokesperson of the group, said:
“We strongly condemn the siege-like atmosphere that greets Fejiro’s court appearances. The Delta State Government must ensure his safety and allow due process to take its course.
Silencing journalists through administrative delay or intimidation undermines the very foundation of democracy.”
Fejiro Oliver’s situation highlights a growing tension between press freedom and political power in Nigeria’s democracy.
While critics accuse him of crossing ethical lines with his hard-hitting commentaries, supporters insist that his investigations have exposed corruption and forced accountability.
With four active cases against him in less than two months, observers fear his prosecution could become a test case for how far the Nigerian justice system will go to protect or punish critical voices.
“When journalists are afraid to speak truth to power, democracy becomes fragile,” a rights advocate said outside the court.
“Fejiro’s ordeal is not just about one man — it’s about the right of every Nigerian journalist to report without fear.”
FEJIRO OLIVER’S LEGAL TIMELINE
Court Complainant / Case Status
Sept 18, 2025 Federal High Court, Asaba Inspector General of Police, Alleged cyberstalking of Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori & Sen. Ede Dafinone Bail granted; documents unverified by Delta Ministry of Lands
Oct 28, 2025 Magistrate Court 3, Asaba Delta State Government, Alleged defamation of Sen. Joel-Onowakpo Thomas (“Blockhead Senator” post) Bail granted Oct 28, 2025 Magistrate Court 2, Asaba Delta State Government, Alleged defamation of Hon. Stella Okotete Bail granted Ongoing. Total of four criminal cases in Delta State Fejiro remains in custody pending verification
What Lies Ahead
For now, Fejiro Oliver remains in custody at a Delta State correctional centre, a free man on paper, but still a prisoner of process.
As civil rights lawyers, journalists, and advocacy groups rally behind him, all eyes now turn to the Delta State Government and its next move.
Whether this saga ends as a triumph for justice or a cautionary tale of power versus the pen remains to be seen.