A Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State, has ordered the remand of investigative journalist Tega Oghenedoro, popularly known as Fejiro Oliver, at the Ogwashi-Uku Correctional Centre following his arraignment on Thursday over alleged cyberstalking and defamation of top Delta State politicians.

Mr Oliver, who has spent nearly three weeks in police detention without trial, was brought before the court under heavy security. The presiding judge adjourned the hearing on his bail application to October 16, 2025, prolonging his detention.

The journalist’s ordeal began on September 18 when he was arrested in Abuja by police officers allegedly acting on the orders of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Senator Ede Dafinone. He was reportedly flown to Asaba aboard a private jet linked to the governor, where he was detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) before today’s court appearance.

Mr Oliver’s arrest followed a petition from Freeborn Eghagha, an aide to Mr  Oborevwori, who accused him of publishing “defamatory” social media posts referring to the governor as “Governor Amuneke” and “a sleeping governor who rigged election.”

According to court documents filed at the Asaba Judicial Division, prosecutors from the Delta State Police Command alleged that between July and August 2025, Mr Oliver used his Facebook account, Fejiro Oliver, to publish “false and injurious statements” against Mr Oborevwori.

The charge sheet cited one post in which he allegedly wrote that “the Governor travelled to Brazil without the people knowing and making it hush-hush,” adding that “the governor gave contracts to his boys worth billions of naira for rigging election,” and “sent government officials to China, spending millions of dollars only to inspect CNG buses instead of attracting investors.”

The prosecution said such posts were intended “to destroy the reputation” of the governor and thereby constituted an offence under Section 24 (2)(c)(ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended).

In a separate count, the journalist was accused of similar offences against Mr Dafinone, who represents Delta Central Senatorial District. The police alleged that between May and July 2025, Mr Oliver described the lawmaker as a “grossly incompetent senator,” “sleeping senator,” “betraying ingrate,” “POS senator,” “Dodo senator,” and “scammer in NASS.”

The publication, according to the police, was “aimed at destroying his reputation” and amounted to cyberstalking under the same law.

Sources within the police earlier told Peoples Gazette that Mr Oliver’s prolonged detention was influenced by multiple petitions from Mr Oborevwori, Mr Dafinone, and Stella Okotete, the executive director for Business Development at the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM).

Ms Okotete reportedly blamed Mr Oliver’s reports for damaging her political ambitions and petitioned the police to have him prosecuted.

On October 2, Peoples Gazette reported that the Federal High Court in Asaba had queried the police over Mr Oliver’s illegal detention and denial of access to his lawyers and family.

Meanwhile, the journalist has also filed a ₦1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit against Mr Oborevwori, Mr Dafinone, Ms Okotete, and the Nigeria Police Force, citing violations of his liberty, privacy, and dignity.

The case, marked FHC/ASB/CS/164/2025, also names the Inspector General of Police, Delta State Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police (SCID), and CSP Solomon Nwokolo as respondents.

Media and civil rights groups have condemned Mr Oliver’s treatment as a blatant case of political persecution and an attack on press freedom.

His next court appearance is scheduled for October 16, 2025, when his legal team will again apply for bail.