The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has defended its decision to include the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and two state governors in its “Book of Infamy” over alleged violations of press freedom.
IPI Nigeria, in a statement on Friday, said the Inspector-General of Police and Governors Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State and Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State were listed following what it described as consistent actions that undermined the rights of journalists and constitutional guarantees on free expression.
The organisation said Gov. Bago ordered the closure of Badegi 90.1 FM on Aug. 1, 2025, after the station aired criticism of his administration. Although the station was later reopened, IPI said incidents of harassment of journalists in the state persisted, including earlier cases involving detention and assault.
IPI Nigeria said the Inspector-General of Police was listed over what it called the sustained harassment of Media Room Hub publisher, Ms Azuka Ogujiuba, who was repeatedly arrested in connection with her reports on a land dispute. The group added that journalists in Kano, Abuja and Ekiti continued to face intimidation from police officers despite repeated calls for intervention.
It said Gov. Eno was added to the list following the barring of Channels Television reporters, Christopher Moffat and Kufre Ikpe, from the Akwa Ibom Government House Press Centre on May 24, 2025, after a report in which he was quoted making an undemocratic comment.
According to IPI, the actions were taken to hold public officials accountable for infractions against press freedom, adding that violations of constitutional rights will not go unanswered.
IPI Nigeria also announced that it had honoured the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), Mr Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, with a commendation award for what it described as improved engagement with the media since he assumed office in August 2024.
The institute said Ajayi had moved the agency away from intimidation toward dialogue and professionalism. It cited his role in securing the release of journalist Mr Adejuwon Soyinka in Lagos, removing veteran journalist Mr Lanre Arogundade from the SSS watchlist, and granting administrative bail in a case involving the National Assembly’s “Order Paper” report.
IPI Nigeria added that Ajayi ordered the release of a journalist who became ill in custody and intervened in a dispute between media organisations and the Lagos State House of Assembly in February 2025.
In October 2025, he reportedly directed disciplinary action against officers who detained two Jay 101.9 FM journalists in Jos and ensured they received a formal apology.
According to the institute, the commendation was in recognition of Ajayi’s efforts to promote a media-friendly environment and as a model it hopes other public officials will emulate.
