Sunday, September 21, 2025 - The Network Against Corruption and Anti-Drug Trafficking (NACAT) has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of its Chairman, Mr Fejiro Oliver, an investigative journalist, who was arrested in Abuja and transferred to Delta State, describing the action as unlawful and politically motivated.
In a statement signed by its Operations Manager, Mr Stanley
Ugagbe, NACAT alleged that Oliver was forcefully taken into custody by
operatives of the Nigerian Police Force on Thursday, and moved to Asaba, where
he is being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).
“It should be noted that Mr Oliver was forcefully arrested
on Thursday, September 18, 2025, in Abuja. In a disturbing display of executive
overreach, he was immediately transferred to Asaba, Delta State, where he is
currently being illegally detained at the State Criminal Investigation
Department (SCID) in the midst of hardened criminals and suspected kidnappers,”
the statement read.
The group stressed that Oliver’s continued detention
amounted to an assault on civil liberties and democracy in Nigeria.
“Fejiro Oliver is not a criminal, he is a courageous
journalist, whistleblower, and anti-corruption advocate whose tireless work has
exposed high-level graft, abuse of office, and organised criminal networks
across Nigeria. This crude attempt to silence him is not just an attack on an
individual, but a direct assault on civil liberties, freedom of expression and
the soul of Nigeria’s democracy,” NACAT said.
The organisation further faulted the Nigerian Police Force
for what it described as complicity in political persecution.
“The manner of his arrest devoid of transparency, legality,
and accountability is emblematic of a disturbing trend: where state power is
being weaponised by elected officials to silence dissent, punish truth-tellers,
and protect corruption at the highest levels. The Nigerian Police Force, by
allowing itself to be used as a political attack dog, is complicit,” it stated.
According to NACAT, Oliver’s case has become a test of
Nigeria’s respect for justice, human rights, and the rule of law.
“The continued detention of Fejiro Oliver is a litmus test
for Nigeria’s commitment to justice, the rule of law, and human rights,” the
group declared.
It called on
Nigerians, the media, civil society, human rights defenders, and the
international community to rise in defence of free speech and accountability.
“We call on all Nigerians, the media, civil society, human
rights defenders, and the international community, to rise in defence of
justice and hold those responsible to account. This is not just about Fejiro
Oliver, this is about the future of free speech and accountability in Nigeria,”
the statement added.
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