Court issues arrest warrant against Fejiro Oliver Over His Absence In Court
A magistrate court in Asaba, Delta state, has issued a warrant for the arrest of Fejiro Oliver, an activist for failing to appear in court
Recall that Mr. Oliver is facing charges under the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention) Act, 2015.
The police are prosecuting Oliver for the alleged cyberstalking of Sheriff Oborevwori, governor of Delta; Ede Dafinone, senator representing Delta central senatorial district; Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, his Delta south counterpart; and Stella Okotete, executive director (business development) at the Nigerian Export-Import Bank
The activist was arrested in Abuja in September, 2025 and subsequently transferred to Delta state for arraignment.
He was granted bail on October 16.
When the case came up for hearing on Monday, Oliver’s counsel, Inibehe Effiong, told the court that his client had received several threats to his life and was unable to appear in court for fear of his safety.
However, the magistrate issued a warrant for Oliver’s arrest over his absence from court.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Oliver described the arrest warrant against him as persecution.
“This is not justice. This is persecution, and I am not deterred or bothered. I have never run from court trials,” he said.
“I have been standing trial in a cybercrime case since 2017 in a Lagos court, and I have attended every hearing, paying for flights from Abuja and staying in a hotel for at least two days each time. I have never backed out since 2017.
“In fact, I want to stand trial to confront them, expose them, and disgrace their lies in open court, both at the Federal High Court and the magistrates’ court. But the trial must first be safe.”
He added that the current situation reflects poorly on law enforcement.
Oliver also alleged that the police had become a tool for intimidation and fear.
“My present decision not to submit myself for trial is based solely on credible fears for my life and safety. Appearing in court poses a grave risk to my personal security. In such circumstances, my fear is neither imagined nor unreasonable,” he said.
“I wish to remind Nigerians that the right to life precedes any criminal process. The right to life is superior to every bench warrant. A country that cannot guarantee my safety has no moral authority to demand my surrender for trial.”