Nollywood actor and politician Emeka Ike has filed a ₦10 billion lawsuit against Nigeria’s electoral commission and a top political aide over the alleged leak of his voter registration details.
The suit, lodged at the Federal High Court in Abuja on June 15, names the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Lere Olayinka, media aide to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, as defendants. Ike argues that the disclosure of his personal voter information violated his constitutional right to privacy and Nigeria’s Data Protection Act.
The case stems from a social media post in May, where Olayinka allegedly shared screenshots showing Ike’s voter transfer from Imo State to Abuja. The information, reportedly accessed from an internal INEC portal, was used to question his eligibility to contest a House of Representatives seat. INEC denied its database was hacked, blaming misuse of valid internal credentials.
Ike, through his lawyer Leonard Adeh, is seeking ₦10 billion in damages, a public apology, and the removal of the post. He also wants the court to declare INEC responsible for safeguarding voter data. “The publication of my voter information without consent is a gross violation of my rights,” Ike said in his filing.
The lawsuit has sparked debate across Nigeria. On social media, many users expressed alarm. “If INEC cannot protect voter data, how can we trust them with elections?” one user wrote. Another countered: “This is political drama. Emeka Ike is using the courts to stay relevant.”
Political figures have weighed in. A lawmaker from Imo State said, “This case highlights the urgent need for stronger data protection in our electoral system.” A senior member of the ruling party dismissed the suit as “grandstanding,” but acknowledged that “data leaks erode public trust.”
Policy experts say the case could set a precedent. “Nigeria’s Data Protection Act is still new. This lawsuit will test how seriously the courts enforce it,” said a Lagos-based analyst.
Opinion leaders also voiced concern. A civil society advocate argued, “This is not just about Emeka Ike. If voter data can be leaked, every Nigerian is at risk.”
Emeka Ike, best known for his roles in Nollywood classics like Stigma and Not Man Enough, has in recent years turned to politics, campaigning on issues of youth empowerment and transparency. His lawsuit now places him at the center of a national conversation about privacy, accountability, and the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.
