A Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State, has given the Nigeria Police Force 48 hours to explain why journalist Tega Oghenedoro, better known as Fejiro Oliver, should not be released after spending 16 days in custody.

The order was issued on Thursday, 2 October, by Justice F. A. Olubanjo following an ex parte motion filed by Fejiro’s legal team led by human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong.

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Fejiro, who edits the investigative news platform Secret Reporters, has been an outspoken critic of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

He was arrested at his office in Abuja on 18 September and flown to Asaba after the governor lodged a petition against him.

Governor Oborevwori accused the journalist of publishing repeated damaging reports, including social media posts in which he was referred to as “Governor Sheriff Amuneke of Delta State.”

The governor is not the only petitioner. Senator Ede Dafinone, representing Delta Central, and Hon. Stella Oketete, Executive Director of Business Development at the Nigerian Export-Import Bank, have also reportedly filed complaints against Fejiro.

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.