The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, has said responsible data handling is central to the commission’s anti-corruption mandate.
Aliyu stated this while declaring open a one-day sensitisation programme on data protection and privacy for ICPC officers and staff at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Represented by the Director of Legal Services, Henry Emore, the chairman said public trust depended not only on the ICPC’s ability to investigate and prosecute corruption cases but also on its capacity to protect personal information entrusted to it.
He said the commission handled large volumes of information relating to petitioners, suspects, witnesses, complainants, employees, contractors, consultants and members of the public.
“Every personal record in the Commission’s custody represents an individual’s dignity, privacy and trust,” he said, urging officers to handle such information lawfully, responsibly and securely.
Aliyu warned that data mishandling could expose individuals to harm, compromise investigations, undermine public confidence and damage the commission’s reputation.
He urged officers to uphold accountability, fairness, confidentiality and respect for individual rights in the collection, access, use, disclosure, storage and disposal of personal information.
The chairman also disclosed that the ICPC had established a Data Protection and Incident Response Team to identify compliance gaps, improve internal processes, strengthen incident response and promote data protection awareness.
Earlier, the ICPC Data Protection Officer, Barrister David Nwaze, described the programme as a strategic initiative to reinforce the understanding that data protection was not only a legal obligation but also a professional responsibility and shared institutional value.
The programme featured presentations on responsible data handling and the collaboration between the ICPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission to strengthen data protection compliance in the public sector.
