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“IPI Urges Tinubu To Warn Gov Bago Over Alleged Attacks On Journalists”.
The International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to caution Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State over actions that threaten press freedom and impede journalists from performing their duties.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
In a statement jointly signed by Fidelis Mbah, Deputy President of IPI Nigeria, and Tobi Soniyi, the organisation’s Legal Adviser, IPI expressed concern over repeated incidents of intimidation and harassment of journalists linked to state government officials.
The statement cited the alleged assault on Musa Mikail, a senior reporter with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), as the latest example.
According to IPI Nigeria, the incident occurred on March 13, 2026, while Mikail was covering a Ramadan Iftar at the palace of the Etsu Nupe in Bida. The journalist claimed he was attacked and forced out of the venue by security personnel acting on instructions from Shehu Abdullahi Maikano, Governor Bago’s Chief Security Officer.
“I was standing with my cameraman when the governor’s CSO approached us and asked us to move,” Mikail said. “I explained that we were not obstructing anyone and were simply doing our job. Despite this, he pushed me, and other security operatives attacked me and forced me out of the event.”
IPI Nigeria described the incident as part of a “disturbing pattern of hostility toward journalists” in Niger State.
“The latest assault on the NTA reporter reflects a troubling pattern of violations of press freedom and hostility toward journalists by Governor Bago and officials of his administration,” the statement said.
The organisation also highlighted several previous incidents that raised concerns about journalists’ safety and independence in the state. These include:
- Last month, Ahmed Isah Sakpe, a reporter with Prestige FM, Minna, was detained by police over alleged defamation of a protocol officer attached to the governor.
- In November 2025, Governor Bago ordered the closure of Badeggi FM, accusing the station of airing broadcasts that allegedly incited public dissent.
- In May 2025, freelance journalist Ibrahim Ndamitso was handed over to police for questioning after asking the governor about a kidnapping incident along the Kontagora–Minna road.
- In December 2024, journalist Yakubu Mustapha Bina was questioned by State Security Service operatives after reporting that the governor’s convoy got lost during a rural tour.
- In November 2023, Mustapha Batsari, a Voice of America (VOA) correspondent, was allegedly assaulted and threatened by the Niger State Commissioner for Homeland Security, Major General Bello Mohammed Abdullahi (retd), inside the Government House in Minna.
IPI Nigeria said these repeated incidents led to Governor Bago being listed in the organisation’s “Book of Infamy”, documenting violations of press freedom in Nigeria.
“The persistent attempts to suppress freedom of expression and silence journalists led to Governor Bago’s inclusion in the IPI Nigeria Book of Infamy, launched on December 2, 2025,” the statement said.
The organisation has also called on Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu to immediately investigate the alleged assault on Mikail and ensure accountability.
“We urge the Inspector-General of Police to launch a prompt investigation into the incident and ensure that the governor’s Chief Security Officer who ordered the assault is sanctioned in accordance with the law,” the statement added.
IPI Nigeria stressed that protecting press freedom is vital for democratic governance and urged authorities to ensure journalists can perform their duties without fear of intimidation or harassment.
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Contempt Drama: Health Minister, Hospital MD Risk Jail Over Enugu Neuropsychiatric Hospital Case.
A judgment of the National Industrial Court, Abuja Division, has nullified the appointment of Dr. Ngozi Unaogu as Medical Director of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Enugu and ordered the reinstatement of Prof. Monday Igwe.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Justice E.D. Subilim, in a ruling delivered on December 11, 2025, declared the earlier termination of Prof. Igwe’s appointment unlawful and void, stating that due disciplinary procedures were not followed.
The court also held that Dr. Unaogu’s appointment was invalid because it was made while the case was still before the court, in which she was a party.
Despite the judgment being served on the defendants, reports say the orders have not been complied with several months later.
Counsel to the plaintiff, Mr. Michael O. Okorie, said Dr. Unaogu has continued to carry out official duties, including contract awards, banking transactions, and staff-related decisions, despite the court’s ruling.
He warned that individuals and organisations dealing with her risk doing so at their own peril, as no stay of execution has been granted.
The lawyer has also filed Form 48 against the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare and Dr. Unaogu, signalling consequences for alleged disobedience of court orders.
He further urged the minister to review his legal advisers to avoid actions that could put him in breach of the law.
Court documents show the contempt proceedings were filed under relevant enforcement laws, warning that failure to comply with the judgment could lead to imprisonment.
The notice stated that Prof. Igwe remains unlawfully excluded from office, while Dr. Unaogu continues to function as Medical Director in defiance of the court order.
Meanwhile, reports recall that Dr. Unaogu has previously faced contempt proceedings and was once committed to prison by a High Court over disobedience of a court order.
She now risks another potential contempt sanction if the current court directives are not obeyed.
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has launched an investigation into the reported data breach at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The probe, conducted under Section 46(3) of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, is aimed at strengthening public trust in Nigeria’s digital and economic systems, the agency said.
According to the NDPC, cyber threat actors are increasingly using sophisticated methods to compromise the security of major databases, including large-scale data theft and cross-platform system breaches.
As part of regulatory support efforts, a statement signed by Babatunde Bamgboye, Esq., Head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulations, said the National Commissioner, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, has ordered the commission’s technical team to engage relevant authorities and key organisations to reinforce data protection safeguards.
The investigation will focus on access control systems, Data Privacy Impact Assessments, Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT), as well as checks on third-party data processors.
The NDPC assured the public that Nigeria’s data protection frameworks remain strong, noting the growing reliance on data-driven services across the country.
French coach Hervé Renard has confirmed that he has been relieved of his duties as head coach of Saudi Arabia, just under two months before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Speaking on his departure, the 57-year-old tactician expressed mixed feelings but took pride in his achievements with the national team.
“That’s football… Saudi Arabia have qualified for the World Cup seven times, including twice with me,” he told AFP.
Renard added, “And there’s only one coach who has taken them through both the qualifiers and the World Cup; that’s me, in 2022. At least there will be that sense of pride.”
He returned for a second spell as Saudi Arabia coach at the end of 2024, having previously managed the side between 2019 and 2023.
During his first stint, he guided Saudi Arabia to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they famously defeated eventual champions Argentina in the group stage.
Renard is highly regarded for his international coaching record, having won the Africa Cup of Nations twice—first with Zambia and later with Ivory Coast.
He also previously managed the French women’s national team, leading them to the quarter-finals of both the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2024 Olympic Games.
His return to the Saudi job followed the exit of Roberto Mancini, who left after a disappointing 14-month spell.
However, Renard’s second tenure has now ended abruptly ahead of the global tournament.
Reports suggest that former Greece international Georgios Donis is being considered as his possible replacement.
A source close to the discussions told AFP that talks are ongoing between the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and Saudi club Al Khaleej, where Donis has been in charge since 2024.
Saudi Arabia are set to compete in Group H at the 2026 World Cup alongside Spain, Uruguay, and Cape Verde.
The team will now head into the tournament under new leadership as preparations continue for the global competition.
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