The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has named Niger State Governor Umaru Bago, Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno, and Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to its ‘Book of Infamy.’
The Book of Infamy is a blacklist of public people and institutions accused of undermining press freedom throughout the country.
IPI Nigeria President Musikilu Mojeed revealed the new entries on Tuesday at the Institute’s Annual General Meeting in Abuja, which was entitled “Addressing Media Repression and Safeguarding Democratic Accountability in Nigeria.”
The Book of Infamy, also known as the Book of Accountability, was published in 2022 and serves as a permanent public record of persons, agencies, and authorities determined to have infringed press freedom.
It also records instances of media repression, harassment, and obstruction of journalists.
Mojeed stated that Governors Bago and Eno were inducted for ordering the closure of a radio station in Niger State and banishing journalists from the Akwa Ibom Government House, despite the Institute’s continuous attempts to persuade them to change their conduct.
He called Bago’s decision to shut down Badeggi 90.1 FM on August 1, 2025, “undemocratic, unconstitutional, and unacceptable,” noting that both the Institute and the Minister of Information had intervened unsuccessfully.
“The matter remains unresolved. For this reason, Governor Bago is hereby listed,” he stated.
Mojeed further stated that Eno removed Channels Television’s Christopher Mufat and Kufe Ipe on May 24, 2025, after their reporting uncovered remarks made by the governor.
He claimed that efforts to engage the governor were ignored.
“For refusing to reverse his administration’s repressive action and for perpetuating a climate hostile to journalists, Governor Umo Eno is hereby listed in the Book of Accountability,” he said.
According to Mojeed, the Inspector General of Police was added for failing to stop “systemic media repression” carried out by police officers around the country, including arrests and harassment of journalists despite contacts with the Force Headquarters.
“For failing to uphold his constitutional duties and allowing systematic media oppression, Inspector General Kayode Egbetokun is hereby listed,” he told reporters.
Responding during the event, Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chaired the gathering, requested a two-week grace period to arbitrate between IPI and the named authorities.
“I crave your indulgence. Give us a grace period of two weeks. 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,” he said.
Shettima also vowed to engage Egbetokun, whom he referred to as “a man in the eye of the storm,” and assured IPI that the issue would be resolved.
Meanwhile, IPI Lagos named Adeola Ajayi, Director-General of the State Security Service, as the recipient of its Commendation Award for his “unmistakable commitment to press freedom and respect for journalists and media organizations.”
