Emeka Ike’s N10bn suit: Voter information not confidential, INEC tells court

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has asserted in the Federal High Court in Abuja that voter information is neither classified nor confidential. This stance is in response to a N10 billion fundamental rights suit filed by Nollywood actor and House of Representatives aspirant, Emeka Ike.

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The information complained of is published in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and that it is constitutionally empowered to make voter information available to the public without seeking the consent of registered voters.

INEC contends that the publication of voter information is a statutory requirement under the Electoral Act 2026 and that the commission is constitutionally empowered to make this data publicly available without needing consent from registered voters. The commission's argument was presented in a counter-affidavit deposed by Anthonia Makwe, an Assistant Director in its Legal Drafting and Clearance Department.

Emeka Ike, through his lawyer Leonard Adeh, is seeking N10 billion in damages, alleging that the publication of his voter registration details on X by Lere Olayinka, a media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, violated his fundamental right to privacy and personal data protection.

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The information he shared was already in the public domain and was not obtained unlawfully.

Conversely, Lere Olayinka, represented by his counsel Akpama Ekwe, argued that the information shared, which included Ike's name and passport photograph, was already in the public domain and not obtained unlawfully. Olayinka maintained that he owed Ike no duty of confidentiality, especially as a politician and public figure who voluntarily submitted information as part of the electoral process.

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A person seeking elective office cannot claim to have been traumatised by the circulation of information he voluntarily submitted as part of the electoral process and had already made public as a politician and public figure.

INEC further stated that the information in question is not sensitive and that any document allegedly posted by Olayinka did not originate from the commission. The commission denied breaching its duty to protect voter data, affirming its commitment to data security. The trial judge has adjourned the proceedings to October 12, 2026, for further hearing.

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The commission further stated that the information complained of was not sensitive or confidential and that any document allegedly posted by Olayinka did not emanate from it.