…Alleges arrest was politically motivated
By Luminous Jannamike
ABUJA – The Community Towards Corruption and Anti-Drug Trafficking (NACAT) has demanded the instant and unconditional launch of its Chairman, Mr Fejiro Oliver, an investigative journalist, who was arrested in Abuja and transferred to Delta State, describing the motion as illegal and politically motivated.
In an announcement signed by its Operations Supervisor, Mr Stanley Ugagbe, NACAT alleged that Oliver was forcefully taken into custody by operatives of the Nigerian Police Power on Thursday, and moved to Asaba, the place he’s being held on the State Legal Investigation Division (SCID).
“It needs to be famous that Mr Oliver was forcefully arrested on Thursday, September 18, 2025, in Abuja. In a disturbing show of govt overreach, he was instantly transferred to Asaba, Delta State, the place he’s at the moment being illegally detained on the State Legal Investigation Division (SCID) within the midst of hardened criminals and suspected kidnappers,” the assertion learn.
The group careworn that Oliver’s continued detention amounted to an assault on civil liberties and democracy in Nigeria.
“Fejiro Oliver will not be a legal, he’s a brave journalist, whistleblower, and anti-corruption advocate whose tireless work has uncovered high-level graft, abuse of workplace, and organised legal networks throughout Nigeria. This crude try and silence him is not only an assault on a person, however a direct assault on civil liberties, freedom of expression and the soul of Nigeria’s democracy,” NACAT stated.
The organisation additional faulted the Nigerian Police Power for what it described as complicity in political persecution.
“The style of his arrest devoid of transparency, legality, and accountability is emblematic of a disturbing pattern: the place state energy is being weaponised by elected officers to silence dissent, punish truth-tellers, and shield corruption on the highest ranges. The Nigerian Police Power, by permitting itself for use as a political assault canine, is complicit,” it acknowledged.
In keeping with NACAT, Oliver’s case has change into a check of Nigeria’s respect for justice, human rights, and the rule of legislation.
“The continued detention of Fejiro Oliver is a litmus check for Nigeria’s dedication to justice, the rule of legislation, and human rights,” the group declared.
It referred to as on Nigerians, the media, civil society, human rights defenders, and the worldwide group to rise in defence of free speech and accountability.
“We name on all Nigerians, the media, civil society, human rights defenders, and the worldwide group, to rise in defence of justice and maintain these accountable to account. This isn’t nearly Fejiro Oliver, that is about the way forward for free speech and accountability in Nigeria,” the assertion added.
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