Disgraced Delta ministerial nominee and ruling party top shot, Stella Okotete, has petitioned the police, urging them to detain Nigerian journalist Tega Oghenedoro, popularly known as Fejiro Oliver, indefinitely, top police sources in the state familiar with the matter told Peoples Gazette on Tuesday.

Ms Okotete, 40, who lost her ministerial nomination in 2023 over alleged corruption scandal, blamed Mr Oliver for her political downfall.

She accused him of publishing an investigative report alleging that she was under probe by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)—a disclosure she claimed cost her the ministerial job.

According to police insiders who spoke with The Gazette, Ms Okotete is pressing the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Asaba to prolong his detention, alleging defamation.

“She wrote to the police, insisting that Oliver should not be released anytime soon,” a police source said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter.

The Gazette earlier reported how Mr Oliver was seized on Friday, September 19, in Abuja, then flown to Delta State aboard a private jet allegedly linked to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

Upon arrival in Asaba, he was handed over to FCID operatives, where he has been held since.

The arrest, insiders said, followed his publication of a hard-hitting investigative report critical of Mr Oborevwori and Senator Ede Dafinone. The report reportedly infuriated the political duo, triggering the journalist’s abduction.

Mr Oliver has now spent 11 days in detention without being charged in any court, in contravention of Nigeria’s constitutional provisions. His legal counsel has also been denied access to him, heightening concerns that his continued incarceration is politically motivated.

Media rights organisations have condemned Mr Oliver’s abduction and unlawful detention. They described the move as a blatant attack on press freedom and a worrying reminder of the country’s authoritarian streak.

Despite mounting outrage, the Delta governor, Senator Dafinone, Ms Okotete, and the police remained silent on the matter.