A legal battle over the publication of voter information has intensified, with the Independent National Electoral Commissio (INEC), defending the release of details belonging to Nollywood actor and House of Representatives aspirant, Emeka Ike.
INEC told an Abuja Federal High Court that the information published was neither classified, sensitive nor confidential, arguing that such details are part of the voter register made available to the public in line with electoral laws.
The electoral body made the submission in a counter affidavit filed against a ₦10 billion suit brought by Ike over alleged violation of his right to privacy.
Ike had sued INEC and Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, after Olayinka shared his voter information on X without his consent. The actor, through his lawyer, Leonard Adeh, argued that the publication amounted to a breach of his fundamental rights to privacy and protection of personal data.
However, INEC maintained that it has the legal authority to display and publish voters’ information as part of its statutory responsibility to compile, manage and maintain the voters’ register.
The commission said the information in question was made available in accordance with the Electoral Act 2026 and did not constitute private or restricted data.
Olayinka, in his defence, also argued that the information he shared was already publicly available and only contained Ike’s name and passport photograph. He maintained that Ike, as a public figure and political aspirant, could not claim privacy violations over information presented in the public space.
The Federal High Court has adjourned the case until October 12, 2026, for hearing.
