Yushau Shuaib vs. NIPSS: A Case of Alleged Digital Rights Violation by Abdul Ikon Allah

Yushau Shuaib vs. NIPSS: A Case of Alleged Digital Rights Violation by Abdul Ikon Allah In what appears to be a disturbing abuse of power and breach of privacy, Yushau A. Shuaib—veteran public relations expert, respected journalist, and founder of the PRNigeria media platform—has become the latest victim of institutional victimisation allegedly orchestrated by officials of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru. What began as his participation in the Senior Executive Course (SEC 47) of Nigeria’s foremost policy think tank soon turned into a troubling saga of intimidation, privacy invasion, and professional sabotage. Shuaib, a prominent voice in national security communication and digital journalism, has formally petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, accusing NIPSS officials of digital espionage and violations of Nigeria’s Cybercrime Act. A Breach Too Far At the heart of the matter is a private editorial email belonging to PRNigeria—an independent media agency founded by Shuaib—which inexplicably surfaced as an attachment in an official query issued to him by NIPSS. The query, issued by Rear Admiral A.A. Mustapha and Professor Elias Wahab on behalf of the Acting Director of Studies, Barrister Nima Salman Mann, referenced a confidential email titled “Understanding the ‘Blue’ in the Blue Economy: A PR Perspective”—a document that had never been sent to, copied to, or shared with any NIPSS official. The unexplained appearance of that email, according to Shuaib, is not only alarming but suggests unauthorised surveillance or a potentially criminal breach of PRNigeria’s private communications system. “This is not a mere ethical lapse,” Shuaib warned in his petition. “It is a deliberate, unlawful intrusion that compromises the integrity of our newsroom and endangers the safety of sources who depend on us for protection.” Vindictive Withdrawal from NIPSS This breach, Shuaib insists, did not occur in isolation. It follows a pattern of what he describes as a “vindictive and questionable” attempt to silence him. After raising critical questions and engaging in intellectual discussions within the SEC 47 program, Shuaib was abruptly withdrawn from the course—an action he believes was orchestrated to punish his dissent and tarnish his credibility.

Observers familiar with the course note that NIPSS, which ought to be a bastion of intellectual freedom and policy innovation, appears to have taken a dark turn in this case—moving against a participant in a manner that reeks of institutional intolerance and personal vendetta. Violation of Cybercrime Law The alleged breach also potentially violates multiple sections of Nigeria’s Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, particularly Section 24 which criminalises the unlawful interception and access of electronic communications. Shuaib’s petition provides documentary evidence, including the original PRNigeria email and the query where it was unlawfully referenced. He further expressed willingness to cooperate with digital forensic investigations that may reveal the method used by NIPSS officials to access the email—whether by hacking, phishing, insider compromise, or other unlawful means. A Dangerous Precedent This incident raises grave concerns about the abuse of authority within Nigeria’s public institutions. If a high-profile journalist and public communication expert like Shuaib can be treated with such contempt for privacy and due process, what then is the fate of less-known citizens or whistleblowers? The implication goes beyond a single individual. PRNigeria’s editorial integrity and digital safety practices—particularly in national security reporting—now face a potential crisis. Shuaib pointed out that the unlawful access could compromise sensitive sources and derail years of trust built with informants. A Call for Justice In his petition, Shuaib has urged the Nigeria Police Force to interrogate the three senior NIPSS officials involved and identify others who may have aided the breach. More importantly, he called for strict enforcement of the Cybercrime Act to deter future violations by government institutions. “This is not about me alone,” Shuaib wrote. “It is about upholding the rule of law, protecting digital freedoms, and ensuring that no public institution becomes a threat to democracy, transparency, and media independence.” The onus is now on the Nigeria Police and other oversight bodies to rise to the occasion—proving that digital rights violations, even when carried out by powerful institutions, will not go unpunished. Anything less would amount to legitimising impunity in the digital age.

Yushau Shuaib’s ordeal is a sobering reminder that even in a democratic setting, power can be misused under the guise of procedure and discipline. The integrity of Nigeria’s policy institutions and the safety of digital journalism now depend on the courage of authorities to pursue justice without fear or favour.