A civil society organisation, Global Right has levelled serious allegations against the President of the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria), Mr. Musikilu Mojeed, accusing him of unethical conduct and “corporate blackmail” in his roles as IPI chief and Editor-in-Chief of Premium Times.
In a statement signed by the group Executive Director, Abiodun Baiyewu on Saturday, the group claimed that Mojeed has allegedly “weaponised investigative journalism” to pressure companies and organisations into placing advertisements in Premium Times and its affiliated publications.
According to the organisation, Mojeed has “routinely threatened” corporate bodies with unfavourable reports unless they purchased advertorials, describing the alleged practice as “racketeering disguised as journalism.”
“Mojeed has turned investigative reporting into a revenue strategy. He pressures organisations to patronise Premium Times or risk negative coverage. This is not journalism; it is weaponised intimidation,” the group alleged.
The NGO also questioned what it termed Mojeed’s “sudden wealth,” alleging that the IPI president recently acquired a residence at the River Park Estate in Lugbe, Abuja, and calling for an investigation into his finances.
Further claims, purportedly from an unnamed security source, allege that Mojeed has accepted payments from certain organisations in exchange for suppressing damaging reports. None of these claims have been independently verified.
These allegations surface amid growing tensions between IPI Nigeria and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) following the arrest of Mrs. Adenike Atanda, wife of journalist Mr. Sodeeq Atanda, alongside their nine-month-old baby, at the Owutu Police Station in Ikorodu, Lagos.
IPI Nigeria condemned the arrest as an “attack on press freedom” and, in response, suspended its engagements with the police. The organisation demanded a public apology, financial compensation for the detention, and disciplinary action against the officers involved, describing the incident as “arrest by proxy”, a practice prohibited under Nigerian law.
The NGO, however, accused Mojeed of exploiting the situation for “personal and political gain,” rather than out of genuine concern for media rights. A public commentator, Mr. Danjuma Lamido from Yola, also criticised IPI Nigeria’s stance, accusing the institute of “grandstanding” and attempting to “blackmail” the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. Lamido argued that the IGP had already taken action against the implicated officers and suggested that IPI Nigeria was provoking needless confrontation.
"IPI Nigeria’s claim of “grave concern” that the police continue to shield officers who violate the law is blackmail, pure and simple. It is mischievous to assert this in the face of ongoing disciplinary actions under IGP Egbetokun, who has consistently shown that no rank or position is immune when the law is breached. The police do not meddle in civil or commercial disputes before courts, and the IGP has not hesitated to discipline officers found wanting.
"One must therefore call on Musikilu Mojeed, President of IPI Nigeria, and Tobi Soniyi, its Legal Adviser, to exercise objectivity and restraint. Their recent activities project an institute seemingly sponsored to blackmail an indefatigable IGP rather than to strengthen press freedom through constructive engagement.
"It is difficult to ignore the pattern. Despite dialogue, despite reforms, despite open doors, IPI Nigeria’s posture increasingly mirrors that of misguided elements intent on forcing the IGP out of office. If that is the agenda, it should be stated openly, not cloaked in sanctimonious press statements.
"Nigeria needs responsible journalism and professional policing, not performative outrage. Justice is best served through due process, not megaphone diplomacy," Lamido added.
Meanwhile, a separate controversy has emerged involving former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji. His spokesperson, Robert Ngwu, alleged that Premium Times was “paid N100 million” by the Enugu State Government to pursue an investigative report into Nnaji’s academic qualifications. Ngwu provided no evidence to support the claim.
The Premium Times investigation in question reported that Nnaji did not complete his university education, alleging that the bachelor’s degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate he presented to President Bola Tinubu, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Department of State Services, and the Senate, were forged.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Mojeed dismissed Ngwu’s allegation as “false and defamatory,” insisting that Premium Times maintains the highest journalistic standards.
“We are not a newspaper that anyone can malign. We have built our integrity for close to 15 years,” Mojeed said.
“Our lawyers are already reviewing this allegation, and Mr. Ngwu will have to provide evidence in court.”
He reaffirmed the newspaper’s commitment to ethical investigative reporting and holding public officials to account.
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