Agboje Chuks
Delta Born Journalist, Mr. Tega Oghenedoro, popularly known as Fejiro Oliver, has filed a {N}1 billion lawsuit against the Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, Senator representing Delta Central, Ede Dafinone, and Executive Director of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Stella Okotete.
The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Asaba, also names the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Delta State Commissioner of Police, and police officers DCP Adegoke Alani and CSP Solomon Nwokolo as respondents.
Oliver is challenging the enforcement of his fundamental rights to dignity of the human person, personal liberty, privacy, and freedom of movement.
Fejiro’s legal action comes after his arrest on September 19, 2025, by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department (FID) in Garki, Abuja.
Recall that his arrest and subsequent transfer to Asaba, the Delta State capital, were allegedly ordered by Governor Oborevwori.
The journalist, who was still in police custody at the anti-kidnapping department in Asaba at the time of the suit’s filing, was formally charged on October 4, 2025, for allegedly cyberstalking Governor Oborevwori and Senator Dafinone through a series of Facebook posts described by the police as “defamatory.”
Prior to the lawsuit, a Federal High Court in Asaba had given the Nigeria Police Force 48 hours to show cause why Oliver should not be unconditionally released, following his 16-day detention on the cyberstalking allegations.
The suit, filed on Oliver’s behalf by his counsel, human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, Esq., of Inibehe Effiong Chambers, Abuja, demands {N}1,000,000,000 (One Billion Naira) as general and exemplary damages for the alleged violation of his fundamental rights.
The Applicant, Tega Samson Oghenedoro (Alias Fejiro Oliver), names the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ede Omueya Dafinone, Stella Erhuvwuoghene Okotete, CSP Solomon Nwokolo, DCP Adegoke Alani, Commissioner of Police, Delta State Police Command, Nigeria Police Force, and the Inspector General of Police as the 1st to 8th respondents, respectively.
Summary of Demands (Reliefs) The suit seeks the following key reliefs from the court:
Declaration of Rights
Violation: A declaration that his arrest, transfer from Abuja to Delta State without a duly registered warrant, prolonged detention, and the seizure/searching of his personal mobile phone without a lawfully issued warrant, are all unlawful, unconstitutional, and a gross violation of his fundamental rights as enshrined in Sections 34, 35, 37, and 41 of the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.
Written Apology: An order compelling the respondents, jointly and severally, to publish an unreserved written apology to the Applicant in three (3) National Newspapers for breaching his fundamental rights.
Damages: An order compelling the respondents, jointly and severally, to pay {N}1,000,000,000.00 as General and Exemplary damages.
Perpetual Injunction: An order perpetually restraining the respondents from further arresting or interfering with the Applicant’s dignity, liberty, and other fundamental rights.
