ICPC Chairman: Data Protection Critical to Winning Public Trust in Anti-Corruption Fight
…says safeguarding personal information is as vital as investigating and prosecuting corruption
By Pan Afric Reporters
The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has declared that responsible handling of personal data is now a critical pillar of Nigeria’s anti-corruption drive, stressing that public confidence in the Commission depends not only on its ability to investigate and prosecute corruption cases but also on its commitment to protecting sensitive information entrusted to it.
Aliyu said every piece of personal information in the Commission’s custody represents the dignity, privacy and trust of individuals, warning that poor data management could undermine investigations, expose citizens to harm and erode institutional credibility.
The position was contained in a press statement issued by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and signed by its Head of Media and Public Communications, Mr. J. Okor Odey, following a one-day sensitisation and awareness programme on data protection and privacy held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking while declaring the programme open, Dr. Aliyu, who was represented by the Director of Legal Services, Mr. Henry Emore, said the Commission processes and retains enormous volumes of sensitive information relating to petitioners, suspects, witnesses, complainants, employees, contractors, consultants and members of the public in the course of carrying out its statutory responsibilities.
According to him, protecting such information is fundamental to maintaining accountability and public trust.
“Responsible data handling is inseparable from the Commission’s anti-corruption mandate. Public trust depends not only on our ability to investigate and prosecute corruption-related offences but also on our capacity to protect personal information entrusted to us,” he said.
The sensitisation programme, themed “Responsible Data Handling: Strengthening Accountability and Preserving Public Trust through Data Protection,” was organised to deepen awareness of responsible data management and reinforce a culture of accountability across the Commission.
Aliyu noted that while data has become one of the most valuable assets in modern governance, supporting decision-making, service delivery and investigations, its misuse or mishandling could compromise investigations, damage institutional reputation and expose individuals to unnecessary risks.
He emphasised that data protection is no longer the exclusive responsibility of information technology specialists or legal practitioners but an essential component of good governance, transparency, accountability and institutional integrity.
“Every personal record in our custody represents an individual’s dignity, privacy and trust. Officers must ensure that such information is handled lawfully, responsibly and securely,” he added.
The ICPC Chairman urged officers to uphold the principles of accountability, fairness, confidentiality and respect for individual rights throughout the collection, processing, storage, disclosure and disposal of personal information.
He also disclosed that the Commission has strengthened its internal governance framework through the establishment of a Data Protection and Incident Response Team (DPIRT), comprising officers from various departments to identify compliance gaps, improve internal processes, promote awareness and enhance incident response mechanisms.
Earlier, the Commission’s Data Protection Officer, Barrister David Nwaze, described the sensitisation programme as a strategic initiative aimed at reinforcing the understanding that data protection is both a legal obligation and a professional responsibility.
“Protecting personal data is fundamental to safeguarding institutional integrity, preserving public confidence and strengthening accountability within the Commission,” Nwaze said, while urging participants to actively engage in the training and apply the lessons in their daily responsibilities.
The programme featured technical presentations on responsible data management and institutional compliance, including a paper titled “Responsible Data Handling: Strengthening Accountability and Preserving Public Trust through Data Protection,” delivered by Mr. Inelegwu Egahi, as well as another presentation on collaboration between the ICPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) by Barrister Babatunde Bamigboye.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to embedding data privacy and protection into its operational processes as part of broader efforts to strengthen institutional accountability and sustain public confidence in Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework.
