The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), has said that responsible data handling is central to the Commission’s anti-corruption mandate, stressing that public confidence depends not only on successful investigations and prosecutions but also on the protection of personal information entrusted to the agency.
Aliyu made the remark at the opening of a one-day sensitisation and awareness programme on data protection and privacy for ICPC officers and staff at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Saturday.
Represented by the Director of Legal Services, Mr. Henry Emore, the ICPC Chairman said the Commission processes and stores vast amounts 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.
He noted that every personal record in the Commission’s custody represents an individual’s dignity, privacy and trust, making it essential for officers to ensure such information is handled lawfully, responsibly and securely.
According to him, while data has become a critical asset for governance, investigations and service delivery, its misuse could expose individuals to harm, compromise investigations, erode public trust and damage institutional credibility.
Aliyu said data protection has evolved beyond the responsibility of ICT professionals and legal experts, describing it as a key pillar of good governance, transparency, accountability and institutional integrity.
He urged ICPC personnel to uphold the highest standards in collecting, accessing, using, sharing, storing and disposing of personal information, adding that accountability, fairness, confidentiality and respect for individual rights must guide all official activities.
The Chairman also disclosed that the Commission has strengthened its internal data protection framework through the establishment of the Data Protection and Incident Response Team (DPIRT), comprising officers from various departments to enhance compliance, improve internal processes, strengthen incident response mechanisms and promote privacy-conscious operations.
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 not only a legal obligation but also a professional responsibility and a core institutional value.
Nwaze commended the ICPC Chairman and management for their commitment to advancing the Commission’s data protection compliance efforts and encouraged participants to actively engage in the training and apply the knowledge gained in their daily responsibilities.
The programme featured presentations on responsible data handling and the collaboration between the ICPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to strengthen data protection compliance across the public sector. The sessions were delivered by Mr. Inelegwu Egahi and NDPC official, Barrister Babatunde Bamigboye.
