Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has reportedly instructed the state’s Commissioner for Lands, Emamusi Obiodeh, to disregard an order of the Delta Division of the Federal High Court on the release of detained journalist Tega Oghenedoro, popularly known as Fejiro Oliver.

The court had mandated the Ministry of Lands to confirm that the land provided as part of Mr Oliver’s surety for his release from prison is registered with the land registry.

Peoples Gazette learnt on Friday that the court and the police authorities have verified all documents required for his release since he was granted bail.

However, the final step in the process, The Gazette learnt, was for the Delta State Ministry of Lands to issue a confirmation letter to the court and the police, affirming that the property provided was duly registered with the state land registry. 

However, despite a formal letter from the court’s registrar on the judge’s order requesting the ministry’s confirmation, Mr Oborevwori allegedly directed the Commissioner for Lands to ignore it.

“The ministry has since kept the letter on file without action since Tuesday, effectively stalling the journalist’s release,” a source privy to the development told The Gazette.

Senior government officials who spoke on condition of anonymity described the governor’s action as a “deliberate attempt to frustrate the court’s authority.” 

The sources further revealed that the administration intends to proceed instead with a separate, “illegal arraignment” of Mr Oliver before a magistrate court presided over by one Magistrate Edith Nkechi Anumadu, whom they described as “compromised.”

Mr Oliver’s continued detention, despite a subsisting court order, has drawn criticism from rights groups and media advocates who view it as a violation of judicial independence and press freedom.

When contacted by our correspondent over the development on Friday, Festus Ahon, chief press secretary to Mr Oborevwori, denied the allegation, stating that the governor had no hand in the delay in finalising the journalist’s bail.

“My governor that I know will not interfere in any judicial process, and he will not obstruct the rule of law or justice,” Mr Ahon told The Gazette.