IPI Blacklists Governors Bago, Eno And IGP Egbetokun Over Press Freedom Violations
The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has placed Niger State Governor Umaru Bago, Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno, and Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun on its ‘Book of Infamy’. The Book of Infamy, also called the Book of Accountability, is a public record highlighting officials and institutions accused of restricting press freedom in Nigeria. Launched in 2022, it documents incidents of media harassment, censorship, and other violations against journalists. IPI Nigeria President Musikilu Mojeed announced the new entries on Tuesday during the Institute’s Annual General Meeting in Abuja, themed “Addressing Media Repression and Safeguarding Democratic Accountability in Nigeria.” Mojeed explained that Governors Bago and Eno were included for targeting journalists. Bago ordered the closure of Badeggi 90.1 FM on August 1, 2025, while Eno expelled Channels Television reporters Christopher Mufat and Kufe Ipe from the Akwa Ibom Government House on May 24, 2025. Efforts by the Institute and the Minister of Information to reverse these actions were ignored. “The matter remains unresolved. For this reason, Governor Bago is hereby listed,” Mojeed said. He added, “For refusing to reverse his administration’s repressive action and perpetuating a climate hostile to journalists, Governor Umo Eno is hereby listed in the Book of Accountability.” IGP Egbetokun was included for failing to address systemic media repression by police officers nationwide, including harassment and arrests of journalists, despite multiple engagements with Force Headquarters. “For failing to uphold his constitutional duties and allowing systematic media oppression, Inspector General Kayode Egbetokun is hereby listed,” Mojeed stated. Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chaired the AGM, requested a two-week grace period to mediate with the listed officials. “Governor Umo Eno is a pastor and a humble man. I will impress on him to restore those Channel reporters. Bago is my friend as well; I will invite him to my office and we will sort things out,” Shettima said, adding that he would also engage Egbetokun, whom he described as “a man in the eye of the storm.” Meanwhile, IPI Nigeria presented the Director-General of the State Security Service, Adeola Ajayi, with its Commendation Award for his “unmistakable commitment to press freedom and respect for journalists and media organisations.”