Rights Group Decries Delay In Probe Of Alleged Data Breach By NIPSS

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has criticised the inspector-general of police (IGP) Tunji Disu and the National Data Protection Commission (NDPC) over the prolonged delay in investigating petitions alleging cybercrime, unlawful interception of private communications and data protection breaches involving a senior naval officer and other officials of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).

In a statement issued to journalists yesterday in Abuja, HURIWA’s national coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, expressed concern that over a year after the petitions were submitted, neither the police authorities nor the NDPC had publicly communicated the status of their investigations or taken visible steps to address the allegations.

He said the delay was inconsistent with the statutory responsibilities of the two institutions, warning that continued inaction could undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s commitment to enforcing cybercrime and data protection laws.

According to HURIWA, the petitions were submitted on July 1, 2025, by PRNigeria publisher, Alhaji Yushau A. Shuaib, who alleged unauthorised access, interception and use of private digital correspondence belonging to him and his organisation during disciplinary proceedings at NIPSS.

The group said the alleged interception was carried out without a court order or other lawful authorisation.

HURIWA identified Barrister Nima Salman Mann, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha and Professor Elias Wahab as individuals named in connection with the allegations, adding that the claims raised serious questions under the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023 and other relevant cybersecurity laws.

It said that if established through proper investigation, the allegations could amount to significant violations of Nigeria’s data protection framework, with implications for privacy rights, institutional data governance, media source confidentiality and public trust in government institutions.

HURIWA called on the NDPC, led by its National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Vincent Olatunji, to clarify the status of the petition, disclose any interim findings and outline measures being taken to prevent similar breaches in public institutions.

The organisation said the matter had gone beyond an individual grievance and now represented a test of Nigeria’s commitment to enforcing its data protection regime, particularly within government institutions.

HURIWA also urged the Inspector-General of Police to direct the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) to expedite investigations into the alleged cybercrime.

The rights group recalled that it had previously raised similar concerns in a statement issued on April 6, 2026, over what it described as delays in acting on the petition despite the submission of evidence to investigators.

It alleged that the police had yet to invite or question some of the individuals named in the petition, particularly Rear Admiral Mustapha, whom it described as central to allegations of intimidation, institutional bullying and unlawful interception of private correspondence.

HURIWA further raised concerns over a possible conflict of interest, alleging that two of the individuals named in the petition—Mann and Mustapha—are members of the National Institute (mni), alongside former Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Sadiq Idris Abubakar, who previously supervised the FCID.

The group said any perception of preferential treatment based on institutional affiliations could erode public confidence in law enforcement and the principle of equality before the law.

The association also referred to Shuaib’s recently published memoir, “MNI Versus MNIPR in NIPSS: Tackling Institutional Bullying,” which recounts his experiences during the 2025 Senior Executive Course at NIPSS and alleges a pattern of institutional intimidation.

According to HURIWA, the memoir identifies Rear Admiral Mustapha as a central figure in the events that culminated in Shuaib’s withdrawal from the programme.

The group, however, stressed that while the memoir had renewed public interest in the controversy, the allegations of cybercrime and data breaches remained separate matters requiring independent criminal investigation.

HURIWA maintained that the pending civil litigation arising from Shuaib’s withdrawal from the Senior Executive Course should not prevent criminal investigation into the alleged cyber-related offences.

“An elementary principle of law is that the existence of a civil suit does not bar criminal investigation or prosecution where criminal offences are alleged,” the statement said.

HURIWA called on the police to invite all individuals named in the petitions for questioning in accordance with due process, while urging the NDPC to fulfill its statutory mandate by investigating the alleged violations promptly and transparently.

The organisation warned that continued delays could reinforce perceptions of selective justice and weaken public trust in Nigeria’s law enforcement and data protection institutions.

HURIWA reaffirmed its commitment to promoting accountability, the rule of law and stronger institutional safeguards for digital privacy and cybersecurity in Nigeria.