The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has named Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, in its newly established Book of Infamy—a public accountability register for officials accused of persistent violations of press freedom and harassment of journalists.
The announcement was made at the IPI Nigeria Annual Conference held in Abuja, which was attended by Vice-President Kashim Shettima and leading media executives. According to the organisation, the decision follows years of patterns of intimidation, arbitrary arrests, violent assaults, and the suppression of legitimate journalistic activities in the country.
IPI Nigeria said the inclusion of the three public officials marks a historic moment in its efforts to strengthen democratic accountability in Nigeria. The President of the Institute, Musikilu Mojeed, explained that the actions of the named officials reflect “serious violations of press freedom and democratic norms,” making them the first set of individuals to be listed in the Book of Infamy.
Governor Bago Accused of Shutting Down Independent Media and Harassing Journalists
Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago was singled out for what IPI Nigeria described as a disturbing record of direct repression of media houses and reporters. The most recent example cited was the shutdown of Badegi 90.1 FM, an independent radio station in Minna, ordered by the governor on 1 August 2025.
According to IPI Nigeria, Governor Bago instructed the Commissioner for Homeland Security and the Commissioner of Police to seal the station simply because its programmes and commentary had been critical of his administration. The station was forcibly closed the following day, raising widespread concern among civil society groups and media advocates.
The Institute also referenced earlier incidents, including the January 2025 detention of Yakubu Mustapha, the Niger State correspondent for Peoples Daily and Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the NUJ. Mustapha was held for three days after sharing an article critical of the governor’s media aide.
Another case involved Mustapha Nasiru Batsari of the Voice of America, who was allegedly assaulted by a Niger State commissioner in November 2023 after requesting an interview about a deadly farmers–herders clash in Beji, Bosso Local Government Area.
IPI Nigeria described Governor Bago’s conduct as “undemocratic, unconstitutional, and unacceptable,” adding that the pattern of intimidation made his inclusion in the Book of Infamy unavoidable.
IGP Egbetokun Indicted Over Widespread Police Harassment of Journalists
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, was blacklisted for what the Institute called a systemic failure to stop police abuses against journalists and media workers across Nigeria.
At the heart of the accusations is the case of Azuka Ogujiuba, publisher of Media Room Hub and former ThisDay journalist, who was repeatedly harassed, detained, and summoned to Abuja by officers of the Nigeria Police Force in connection with her reporting on a land dispute under litigation.
IPI Nigeria said these actions violated her constitutional right to freedom of expression and reflected a broader trend of police intimidation.
Since that case, several journalists have experienced similar treatment. Among those highlighted were:
-
Abdulaziz Aliyu of Waraka Online TV, allegedly detained unlawfully by the Kano State Police Command.
-
Nasir Yelwa, Nigerian correspondent for the Iranian News Agency, reportedly assaulted while covering protests in Abuja.
-
Sodeeq Atanda of the Foundation for Investigative Journalism, allegedly harassed by the Ekiti State Police Command.
IPI Nigeria stated that under IGP Egbetokun’s leadership, these violations have persisted without accountability or reform. The Institute said his failure to uphold constitutional standards and protect journalists necessitated his listing in the Book of Infamy.
Governor Umo Eno Blacklisted for Expelling Channels TV Crew
Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno was also added to the Book of Infamy following his administration’s expulsion of two Channels Television reporters — Christopher Moffat and Kufre Ikpe — from the Government House press centre on 24 May 2025.
The journalists were barred after reporting a controversial and undemocratic comment made by the governor, which the administration allegedly tried to suppress. Despite calls from media organisations for a reversal of the ban, the reporters remain blacklisted from state government activities.
IPI Nigeria said Governor Eno’s actions constituted a clear attempt to silence critical journalism and foster a media environment filled with fear and intimidation.
IPI Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Press Freedom
In its concluding remarks, IPI Nigeria stressed that the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy depends on the freedom of journalists to hold public officials accountable without fear of retaliation.
The Institute said the blacklisting of the three officials serves as a warning that press freedom violations will not go unchallenged. It also reaffirmed its commitment to documenting and exposing abuses that threaten democratic governance.
“Public officials who abuse power to intimidate or silence the press must be held accountable,” the organisation stated. “The inclusion of these three officials in the IPI Nigeria Book of Infamy signals our unwavering resolve to defend press freedom and ensure that constitutional violations do not go unanswered.”
The development has sparked fresh debate on the state of press freedom in Nigeria, with journalists and civil society groups urging authorities to prioritise protection of the media and to ensure that those who violate journalists’ rights face consequences.
