VP Shettima Begs As IPI Blacklists Bago, Eno, IGP Egbetokun Over Press Freedom Violations

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, in its ‘Book of Infamy,’ a blacklist of public officials and institutions accused of suppressing press freedom across the country.

This is as Vice President Kashim Shettima begged IPI Nigeria for a grace period on behalf of the indicted persons to resolve the issues.

The announcement was made on Tuesday during IPI Nigeria’s Annual General Meeting in Abuja, themed “Addressing Media Repression and Safeguarding Democratic Accountability in Nigeria”.

Launched in 2022, the Book of Infamy, also called the Book of Accountability, serves as a permanent public record documenting individuals, agencies, and authorities found to have violated press freedom. It also catalogues incidents of media repression, harassment, and obstruction of journalists.

IPI Nigeria President, Musikilu Mojeed, said Governors Bago and Eno were listed for ordering the closure of a radio station in Niger State and expelling journalists from the Akwa Ibom Government House, respectively, despite repeated attempts by the Institute to get them to reverse their actions.

Mojeed described Bago’s decision to shut down Badeggi 90.1 FM in Niger State on August 1, 2025, as “undemocratic, unconstitutional and unacceptable,” noting that both the Institute and the Minister of Information had intervened without success.

“The matter remains unresolved. For this reason, Governor Bago is hereby listed,” he stated.

He added that Governor Eno expelled Channels Television journalists Christopher Mufat and Kufe Ipe on May 24, 2025, after their reporting revealed remarks made by the governor.

“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,” Mojeed said, noting that all attempts to engage the governor had been ignored.

According to Mojeed, the Inspector General of Police was added for failing to curb “systemic media repression” perpetrated by police officers nationwide, including arrests and harassment of journalists, despite engagements with the Force Headquarters.

“For failing to uphold his constitutional duties and allowing systematic media oppression, Inspector General Kayode Egbetokun is hereby listed,” he stated.

However, Vice President Kashim Shettima, who chaired the event, appealed for a two-week grace period to mediate between IPI and the listed officials.

“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 promised to engage Egbetokun, whom he described as “a man in the eye of the storm,” assuring IPI that the matter would be addressed.

In a contrasting note, IPI Nigeria announced the Director-General of the State Security Service (DSS), Adeola Ajayi, as the recipient of its Commendation Award for his “unmistakable commitment to press freedom and respect for journalists and media organisations.”