The Citizens Initiative for Safety Awareness (CISA) has called on the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, to direct an immediate investigation into alleged cybercrime involving senior officials of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).

In a statement issued in Abuja on April 6, 2026, the civil society organisation expressed concern over what it described as a prolonged delay by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in acting on a petition submitted since June 2025.

The petition, filed on behalf of Mr. Yushau A. Shuaib, a public relations practitioner and participant in the NIPSS Senior Executive Course, alleged unauthorised access to private editorial communications belonging to PRNigeria, in violation of provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015.

CISA said that despite what it described as “credible evidence,” the police had yet to invite or question the individuals named in the petition nearly ten months after its submission.

The group also raised concerns over an alleged conflict of interest, claiming that two of the suspects—Barrister Nima Salman Mann and Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha—share membership of the National Institute (mni) with a former senior police official, DIG Sadiq Idris Abubakar, who previously oversaw the FCID.

According to CISA, the alleged “mni protective shield” may have contributed to the delay in the investigation, warning that such a development undermines the principle of equality before the law.

The organisation further clarified that the cybercrime allegations are separate from an ongoing civil suit at the Federal High Court involving Mr. Shuaib’s withdrawal from the NIPSS programme, stressing that civil proceedings do not preclude criminal investigations.

“An elementary legal principle holds that a civil suit cannot be a bar to criminal investigation or prosecution,” the statement said.

CISA urged the police chief to ensure that all individuals named in the petition, including Barrister Mann, Rear Admiral Mustapha, and Professor Elias Wahab, are invited for questioning in line with due process.

The group also called on the IGP to uphold the rule of law, ensure accountability regardless of status, and restore public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.

It warned that failure to act decisively could erode trust in law enforcement and create the perception of a two-tier justice system that favours elite interests.

CISA reaffirmed its readiness to support efforts to strengthen institutional accountability, while expressing hope that police leadership would act promptly on the matter. (Zagazola)

Update news