HURIWA Faults Police, NDPC Over Delay In Probe Of Alleged NIPSS Data Breach Involving Naval Officer
Frontline pro-democracy and civil rights advocacy group, 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 what it described as prolonged inaction on 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 on August 30, 2026, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, expressed concern that more than a year after the petitions were submitted, neither the Nigeria Police Force nor the NDPC had publicly communicated the status of their investigations or taken visible steps to address the allegations.
The rights group described the delay as inconsistent with the statutory responsibilities of both institutions, warning that it could undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s commitment to enforcing cybercrime and data protection laws.
According to HURIWA, the petitions, submitted on July 1, 2025, by PRNigeria Publisher, Alhaji Yushau A. Shuaib, alleged the unauthorised access, interception and use of private digital correspondence belonging to him and his organisation during disciplinary proceedings at NIPSS without a court order or lawful authorisation.
The organisation noted that the petitions named Barrister Nima Salman Mann, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha and Professor Elias Wahab as individuals allegedly linked to the incident, adding that the allegations raise serious questions under the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023 and other relevant cybersecurity laws.
HURIWA said that if the allegations are established through investigation, they could constitute 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.
The group called on the National Data Protection Commission, 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 within public institutions.
According to the organisation, the matter has gone beyond an individual grievance and now represents a test of Nigeria’s commitment to enforcing its data protection regime, particularly within government agencies.
HURIWA also urged the Inspector-General of Police to direct the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) to expedite investigations into the alleged cybercrime.
HURIWA recalled that a similar group had previously raised similar concerns in a statement issued on April 6, 2026, lamenting delays in acting on the petition despite what it termed credible evidence submitted to investigators.
It alleged that the police had yet to invite or question the individuals named in the petition, particularly Rear Admiral Mustapha, whom it described as central to the allegations of intimidation, institutional bullying and the unlawful interception of private correspondence.
HURIWA further raised concerns over what it described as a possible conflict of interest, alleging that two of the individuals named in the petition—Barrister Mann and Rear Admiral Mustapha—are members of the National Institute (mni), alongside former Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Sadiq Idris Abubakar, who previously supervised the FCID.
The association argued that 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 organisation also drew attention to the recent publication of Shuaib’s 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, with Rear Admiral Mustapha identified as a central figure in the events that culminated in his withdrawal from the programme.
According to HURIWA, while the memoir has renewed public interest in the controversy, the allegations of cybercrime and data breaches remain separate issues requiring independent criminal investigation.
The group stressed that the pending civil litigation arising from Shuaib’s withdrawal from the Senior Executive Course does not preclude criminal investigation into the cyber-related allegations.
“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 noted.
HURIWA called on the police to invite all individuals named in the petitions for questioning in accordance with due process and urged the NDPC to fulfil its statutory mandate by investigating the alleged violations promptly and transparently.
It warned that continued delay in addressing the petitions could reinforce perceptions of selective justice and weaken public trust in Nigeria’s law enforcement and data protection institutions.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to promoting accountability, the rule of law and stronger institutional safeguards for digital privacy and cybersecurity in Nigeria. By PRNigeria
