NACAT Condemns Detention of Fejiro Oliver, Warns of Threat to Civil Liberties and Democracy

Strategic Insights -

Naija247news reports that the Network Against Corruption and Anti-Drug Trafficking (NACAT) has condemned the detention of prominent journalist and activist Fejiro Oliver, describing it as unlawful and unconstitutional. Oliver, a well-known whistleblower and critic of the Delta State Government, was arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force on Thursday in Abuja. The NACAT operations manager, Stanley Ugagbe, issued a press statement on Saturday alleging that Oliver's arrest was orchestrated at the behest of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, as a retaliatory move against the journalist's anti-corruption investigations.

Key Takeaways:

  • NACAT condemned the detention of Fejiro Oliver as unlawful and unconstitutional, labeling it a brazen act of political persecution aimed at silencing a fearless voice against corruption.
  • Oliver's work has frequently exposed high-level corruption and misconduct in government institutions, making him a target for those seeking to maintain impunity.
  • The continued detention of Oliver represents a threat to civil liberties, press freedom, and democratic governance in Nigeria.
  • NACAT warned that executive overreach and lawlessness must not be allowed to stand and called on the federal government, civil society organisations, and the international community to speak out against growing intolerance of dissent in Nigeria.
  • NACAT demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Oliver, stating that the rights of citizens must not be trampled upon under any guise.

Statistics:

  • NACAT operates in the areas of anticorruption and anti-drug trafficking.
  • Oliver's work has been critical of corruption in the Delta State Government, highlighting high-level misconduct and abuse of power.
  • The NACAT statement noted that Oliver's detention represents not only an attack on an individual but a wider threat to democracy and civil liberties in Nigeria.

Sources:

  • Naija247news, no specific date mentioned.
  • NACAT press statement, issued by Stanley Ugagbe, operations manager, no specific date mentioned.