Amanze Chinonye
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has criticised the police and the National Data Protection Commission (NDPC) over what it described as delays in investigating allegations of cybercrime, unlawful interception of private communications and data protection breaches involving officials of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Prime Business Africa reports.
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HURIWA National Coordinator Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko said in a statement on Sunday that more than a year after petitions were submitted to the authorities.
The petitions, filed on July 1, 2025, by PRNigeria publisher Yushau A. Shuaib, alleged that private digital correspondence belonging to him and his organisation was accessed, intercepted and used without lawful authorisation during disciplinary proceedings at NIPSS.
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HURIWA said the petition named Barrister Nima Salman Mann, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha and Professor Elias Wahab as individuals allegedly linked to the incident.
The group said the allegations, if established by an investigation, could constitute violations of Nigeria’s data protection and cybercrime laws and raise wider concerns about privacy rights, media source confidentiality and data governance within public institutions.
HURIWA called on the NDPC, led by National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer Vincent Olatunji, to clarify the status of the petition, disclose any interim findings and outline measures being taken to prevent similar incidents in government institutions.
It also urged Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu to direct the Force Criminal Investigation Department to expedite its investigation and invite those named in the petitions for questioning in accordance with due process.
The rights group said the case had gone beyond an individual grievance and had become a test of Nigeria’s commitment to enforcing its data protection laws, particularly where allegations involve officials of public institutions.
HURIWA also raised concerns over what it described as a potential conflict of interest, alleging that Mann and Mustapha are members of the National Institute, alongside former Deputy Inspector-General of Police Sadiq Idris Abubakar, who previously supervised the FCID.
The association said any perception that institutional affiliations could influence the handling of the case would undermine confidence in law enforcement and the principle of equality before the law.
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HURIWA referred to an earlier statement issued on April 6, 2026, in which it raised concerns about the lack of progress on the petitions despite what it described as evidence submitted to investigators.
It also cited Shuaib’s recently published memoir, MNI Versus MNIPR in NIPSS: Tackling Institutional Bullying, which recounts his experience during the 2025 Senior Executive Course at NIPSS and alleges institutional intimidation. Mustapha is identified in the memoir as a central figure in events that culminated in Shuaib’s withdrawal from the programme.
HURIWA said the memoir and the wider dispute over Shuaib’s withdrawal were separate from the alleged cybercrime and data protection violations, which it said should be investigated independently.
It also argued that pending civil litigation arising from the NIPSS dispute should not prevent a criminal investigation where offences are alleged.
“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,” HURIWA said.
The group warned that continued delays could fuel perceptions of selective justice and weaken public confidence in Nigeria’s law enforcement and data protection institutions.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
