EMEKA IKE’S N10BN SUIT: VOTER INFORMATION NOT CONFIDENTIAL, INEC TELLS COURT

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By. Sunmola Ganiyat

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

INEC argued that the information in dispute is published in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and that it is legally empowered to make voter information available to the public without obtaining the consent of registered voters.

The commission made the submission in a counter-affidavit deposed to by its Assistant Director and Data Protection Officer in the Legal Drafting and Clearance Department, Anthonia Makwe, in response to the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1272/2026.

Emeka Ike had dragged INEC and Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, before the court, alleging a violation of his fundamental right to privacy following the publication of his voter registration details on X. He is seeking N10 billion in damages.

Through his lawyer, Leonard Adeh, the actor asked the court to declare that Olayinka’s publication of his voter registration details without his consent amounted to a breach of his constitutional right to privacy and personal data protection.

In his defence, Olayinka, through his counsel, Akpama Ekwe, argued that the information he published was already in the public domain and was not obtained unlawfully.

He maintained that the publication contained only Emeka Ike’s name and passport photograph, insisting that he owed the actor no duty of confidentiality.

According to Olayinka, a politician seeking elective office cannot claim to have suffered trauma over the circulation of information voluntarily submitted as part of the electoral process and already made public.

He also relied on Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates INEC to display and publish the register of voters before general elections for public scrutiny.

Responding, INEC stated that its constitutional responsibilities include compiling, maintaining, displaying, publishing, certifying and managing the register of voters in line with the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026 and the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.

The electoral body further argued that the information in question is not sensitive or confidential and maintained that the document allegedly posted by Olayinka did not originate from the commission.

INEC also denied breaching its obligation to safeguard voters’ personal information, insisting it has continued to protect the security of data in its custody.

The trial judge subsequently adjourned the matter until October 12, 2026, for hearing.