Emeka Ike sues INEC, Wike's aide for N10bn over voter data leak

Actor Emeka Ike from Nollywood has brought a case before the Federal High Court in Abuja against INEC and D. Lere Olayinka, who serves as an aide to Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike.

The legal action concerns the alleged wrongful disclosure of Ike's voter registration information. Filed on June 15, 2026, the suit demands N10 billion in compensation for breaches of privacy rights.

The case identifier is FHC/ABJ/CS/1272/2026. In May 2026, Olayinka posted a screenshot on X showing Ike's voter registration details, including information about his transfer from Imo State to the Federal Capital Territory.

Court filings and accompanying reports indicate this screenshot was released without authorization. Ike's legal counsel, Leonard Adeh, maintains that the disclosure violated the actor's rights under Nigeria's constitution regarding data protection and personal privacy.

The information in question appears to have originated from INEC's restricted administrative portal, according to documents submitted to the court. Reactions extended beyond judicial proceedings.

Isaac Fayose, a prominent business figure, publicly denounced Olayinka's actions, contending they warranted imprisonment and prosecution. Fayose raised alarm about the state of accountability mechanisms in Nigeria's legal framework, pointing out that several weeks had elapsed since the disclosure without any official response targeting the aide.

His comments, made public via social media platforms, echoed broader anxiety regarding how government institutions safeguard citizen data. This lawsuit stands among the initial significant cases to address illicit entry into INEC's voter databases by state functionaries.

The court's jurisdiction over electoral and constitutional disputes is established through the case number and the date it was registered. The damages sought—N10 billion—underscores the gravity with which Nigeria's legal system now assesses financial consequences stemming from privacy breaches within its digital governance infrastructure.