Responsible Data Handling Key to Anti-Corruption Fight, Public Trust – ICPC Boss
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 a critical component of the Commission’s anti-corruption mandate, stressing that public confidence depends not only on the agency’s ability to investigate and prosecute corruption cases but also on its commitment to safeguarding personal information.
Aliyu stated this while declaring open 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 routinely receives, processes, stores, analyses and shares large 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.
He noted that every personal record in the Commission’s custody reflects an individual’s dignity, privacy and trust, making it imperative for officers to handle such information lawfully, responsibly and securely.
According to him, while data has become an indispensable asset in modern governance by enhancing decision-making, service delivery and investigations, its misuse or mishandling could expose individuals to harm, compromise investigations, erode public confidence and damage institutional credibility.
Aliyu further emphasised that data protection is no longer the exclusive responsibility of information technology experts or legal practitioners but has become a fundamental element of good governance, transparency, accountability and institutional integrity.
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He urged ICPC personnel to uphold the highest standards of integrity in the collection, access, use, disclosure, storage and disposal of personal information, stressing that accountability, fairness, confidentiality and respect for individual rights must guide every aspect of the Commission’s operations.
The ICPC Chairman also disclosed that the Commission has strengthened its internal data protection governance framework through the establishment of the Data Protection and Incident Response Team (DPIRT), comprising officers from various departments and units. He explained that the team is tasked with identifying compliance gaps, promoting awareness, improving internal processes, strengthening incident response mechanisms and integrating privacy considerations into the Commission’s operational activities.
Earlier, the Commission’s Data Protection Officer, Barr. David Nwaze, described the sensitisation programme as a strategic initiative aimed at reinforcing the understanding that data protection extends beyond legal compliance to becoming a professional responsibility and shared institutional value.
Nwaze commended the ICPC Chairman and the Commission’s management for their sustained support in advancing the agency’s data protection compliance efforts. He encouraged participants to actively engage in the training, share experiences and apply the knowledge acquired in their daily duties, noting that protecting personal data is essential to preserving institutional integrity, strengthening accountability and maintaining public trust.
The programme, themed “Responsible Data Handling: Strengthening Accountability and Preserving Public Trust through Data Protection,” featured presentations by Mr. Inelegwu Egahi on responsible data handling and by Nigeria Data Protection Commission official, Barr. Babatunde Bamigboye, on collaboration between the ICPC and the NDPC to enhance data protection compliance across the public sector.
By PRNigeria
