NACAT Condemns Arrest and Detention of Fejiro Oliver as Unlawful and Politically Motivated

Strategic Insights -

The Network Against Corruption and Anti-Drug Trafficking (NACAT) has issued a stern rebuke of the arrest and ongoing detention of its Chairman, Mr. Fejiro Oliver, who has been held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Asaba, Delta State, since September 18, 2025. NACAT has denounced the arrest as an 'unlawful, unconstitutional, and politically motivated' act orchestrated by high-ranking officials, including Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abaniwonda Olufemi, and Senator Ede Dafinone.

Key Takeaways:

  • The arrest and detention of Fejiro Oliver, NACAT Chairman, have been condemned by the organization as unlawful, unconstitutional, and politically motivated.
  • NACAT alleges that the arrest was carried out by operatives of the Nigerian Police Force under the direction of Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abaniwonda Olufemi, at the behest of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Senator Ede Dafinone.
  • Fejiro Oliver, a renowned journalist, whistleblower, and anti-corruption advocate, was forcibly apprehended in Abuja on September 18, 2025, and transferred to Asaba, Delta State, where he remains detained alongside hardened criminals and suspected kidnappers.
  • NACAT decried the detention as a blatant attempt to silence Oliver, whose investigative work has exposed high-level corruption, abuse of power, and organized crime across Nigeria.
  • The organization has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Fejiro Oliver, warning that his continued detention serves as a 'litmus test' for Nigeria's commitment to justice, the rule of law, and human rights.
  • NACAT has called on the media, civil society, human rights defenders, and the international community to rally in support of Oliver and hold those responsible accountable.
  • The organization has launched a public campaign with hashtags #FreeFejiroOliverNow, #StopPoliticalPersecution, and #DefendDemocracy to galvanize support for Oliver's release.

Statistics:

  • Fejiro Oliver has been detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Asaba, Delta State, for over 45 days as of October 13, 2025.
  • NACAT has reported that Oliver's investigative work has exposed high-level corruption, abuse of power, and organized crime across Nigeria, highlighting the critical role of journalists and whistleblowers in upholding transparency and accountability.
  • According to NACAT, Oliver's detention is part of a broader pattern of state-sponsored persecution of anti-corruption advocates and journalists in Nigeria, which has raised concerns among human rights defenders and international organizations.

Sources:

  • NACAT press release, September 19, 2025
  • Statement by Stanley Ugagbe, NACAT Operations Manager, September 19, 2025