An Abuja-based journalist Tega Oghenedoro, better known as Fejiro Oliver, has raised concerns over his safety, alleging that his life is under threat following court actions and attacks linked to his reporting.
A magistrate at Court 3 in Asaba, Delta State, Edith Anumadu, on Thursday issued a bench warrant against Oliver after he failed to appear in court.
The magistrate also ordered the arrest of his sureties.
Mr Oliver, through his lawyers, had informed the court that he could not appear because of threats to his life.
This is the second bench warrant issued against him in recent months.
In December 2025, a magistrate at Court 2 in Asaba also issued a warrant after Oliver cited similar security concerns.
Speaking from what he described as a hideout, Oliver told journalists that the threats followed a report he published on pipeline surveillance contracts, which he said were being handled by three companies owned by individuals from the same ethnic group.
“My life has been in danger, and there has been a series of threats, and now attacks on my life and property,” Oliver said.
He said he had received messages warning him to stop the publication or face consequences.
He also alleged that unknown persons attacked him late at night while he was working in his office.
According to him, the attackers inflicted injuries on his head and right elbow and took computers, phones, cameras and documents from the office.
Oliver said he had not committed any offence and maintained his position that pipeline surveillance should be handled by communities where the pipelines are located rather than by companies from a single ethnic group.
He also called on the Federal Government to review the current pipeline protection arrangement and assign the responsibility to statutory security agencies.
Oliver said he plans to report the matter to international bodies, including the United States Congress and the British Parliament.
The journalist, who is the publisher of Secret Reporters, has previously faced multiple legal actions in Delta State.
In November 2025, he was released from the Ogwashi-Uku Correctional Centre after spending 61 days in police and prison custody.
His lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, had confirmed his release, noting that cybercrime charges filed by the Inspector-General of Police at the Federal High Court in Asaba and defamation charges filed by the Delta State Attorney-General at the Magistrate’s Court were still pending.
Fejiro Oliver was arrested in Abuja on September 18, 2025 and initially detained in police custody in Asaba before being remanded following a court appearance on October 9.
Although the Federal High Court granted him bail on October 16, additional charges were later filed at the magistrate’s court.
Two magistrates granted him bail on October 28 in separate defamation cases involving Delta South Senator Joel Onowakpo and Stella Okotete, an executive director at the Nigerian Export-Import Bank.
He also faces cybercrime charges linked to social media posts in which he allegedly made statements against Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Delta Central Senator Ede Dafinone.
