The Federal Government has ordered a probe into the circulation of the personal data of Sonia Ekweremadu and David Nwamini in the ongoing case of alleged organ harvest accusation levelled against ex Deputy Senate Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice, in a UK Court.
The Nigeria Data Protection Bureau under the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) ordered the investigation following publications in various local, national and international media on the matter.
Ekweremadu and his wife were arrested last week in the UK for alleged attempts to harvest the organ of David Nwamini for transplant for their daughter, Sonia, in a British hospital.
The National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Data Protection Bureau, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, said it had become necessary to investigate “the use and public circulation of the personal data allegedly belonging to Nwamini David and Sonia Ekweremadu in the ongoing case of organ transplant pending before a British Court.
“The Bureau notes with concern that certain sensitive personal data purportedly belonging to the two Nigerian citizens (complainant and patient) in this case are being processed by data controllers – particularly media organisation – without regard to the implications under the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) 2019,” Olatunji said.
A statement by the Head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulation of the Bureau noted “NDPR prohibits the processing of personal data without the informed consent or other lawful bases known to law”.
All data controllers and all persons are hereby warned of the consequences of using anyone’s data in violation of NDPR, the Bureau stated.
“The Bureau recognises the vital role of media organizations in educating the general public. In carrying out this important assignment, however, it is obligatory to respect the boundaries of citizens’ privacy.
” The Bureau has set machinery in motion to cooperate with other public institutions within and outside Nigeria in order to ensure transparency and accountability in the instant case,” the Bureau added.
