The Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT) has raised alarm over what it described as a deliberate attempt to undermine judicial authority through the continued detention of journalist and activist, Fejiro Oliver, despite being granted bail by a Federal High Court.
NACAT, in a statement signed by its Production Manager, Stanley Ugagbe, on Sunday, decried the move by the Delta State Government to obtain a warrant to reproduce Fejiro Oliver before a Magistrate Court in Asaba, despite a subsisting bail order from the Federal High Court.
It will be recalled that on October 16, 2025, the Federal High Court in Asaba, Delta State, granted bail to Mr. Oliver. However, while his legal team was perfecting the bail conditions, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori allegedly obtained a new warrant to arraign him before Magistrate Court 3, Asaba, scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2025.
According to NACAT, the move appeared to be an attempt to file duplicate or fresh charges against the journalist — an act it described as political persecution and a clear violation of judicial integrity.
“We view this as a coordinated effort to undermine the authority of the Federal High Court and to use the state judiciary as a tool for political persecution, which will not stand,” NACAT stated.
The organization warned that it would not sit idly while politicians manipulate the judiciary for partisan or vindictive purposes, accusing certain actors of exploiting judicial loopholes and delay tactics to frustrate justice.
NACAT further threatened to petition the National Judicial Council (NJC), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and foreign embassies to impose visa sanctions on any judicial officers found complicit in the alleged abuse of process.
“The initiation of multiple proceedings over the same matter constitutes a clear abuse of court process and a violation of judicial integrity. Once the Federal High Court bail conditions are perfected, Fejiro Oliver must be released immediately, as no lower court has the authority to override or delay a subsisting bail order,” the group insisted.
The anti-corruption network also urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to direct the Chief Judge of Delta State to ensure that no Magistrate Court under his jurisdiction is used to subvert the rulings of a superior court.
It called on the NJC to review all warrants and charges relating to Oliver’s detention, and on the NBA to defend the independence of the judiciary by sanctioning any officer found aiding political manipulation.
