The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a ₦10 billion lawsuit filed by Nollywood actor Emeka Ike against Lere Olayinka, an aide to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, and the Independent National Electoral Commission over the alleged publication of his voter registration details on social media.
Justice Salim Ibrahim delivered the ruling on Wednesday after upholding objections raised by the defendants, who argued that the case was incompetent and improperly constituted.
The judge also dismissed the substantive suit, ruling that the actor had failed to establish his claims.
Ike had approached the court after Olayinka allegedly shared his voter registration information on X in May, following the actor’s unsuccessful bid to secure the Nigerian Democratic Congress ticket for the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The publication reportedly contained details of Ike’s transfer of voter registration from Imo State to Abuja.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1272/2026, the actor accused Olayinka of violating his privacy by publishing his personal information without his consent. He also accused INEC of failing to adequately protect voters’ data.
Ike asked the court to declare that the publication “amounts to gross breach and violation of the applicant’s fundamental right to privacy and the protection of personal data”.
He relied on Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution, Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and Sections 24 and 39 of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023.
The actor sought ₦10 billion in general and aggravated damages against both respondents, alongside orders compelling Olayinka to remove the post and issue a written apology.
He also wanted the court to declare that an INEC statement released on June 2 in response to the controversy amounted to an admission of liability.
However, both respondents urged the court to dismiss the case.
INEC maintained that the information in question was neither classified nor confidential and argued that the publication of voter information was permitted under the electoral laws.
In a counter-affidavit, the commission said it had a legal responsibility to compile, maintain and publish the voters’ register in line with the Constitution and relevant legislation.
It also denied that the material allegedly shared by Olayinka originated from its systems, insisting that its protected database had not been compromised.
“The 2nd respondent, as a data controller, has never breached its statutory duty of care, custody and protection of personal voter information and data; it owes the applicant and other voters under its secured portal and restricted database.”
Olayinka, in his response, argued that the case was brought in bad faith, maintaining that the document he posted contained only Ike’s name and passport photograph, which he said were already publicly available.
He denied obtaining the information illegally or owing the actor a duty of confidentiality over details already in the public domain.
Olayinka further argued that Ike had made his identity and photograph public when he expressed his intention to contest an election and through his career as a Nollywood actor.
He also cited Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, arguing that INEC was legally required to publish the voters’ register ahead of a general election.
According to Olayinka, the post was intended to draw attention to Ike’s recent transfer of voter registration and the relevant electoral provisions. He also alleged that the actor had led a group of hoodlums to an INEC office to disrupt its activities after announcing his political ambition.
Olayinka rejected responsibility for the alleged harm claimed by Ike, arguing that he was not a data controller under the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, and had no obligation to safeguard the actor’s voter registration documents.
Describing the damages claim as unjustified, he said it was “an indication that the applicant is a gold digger who wants to reap where he did not sow.”
He maintained that he should not be held liable for sharing information he believed was already publicly accessible and asked the court to dismiss the case.
The court ultimately ruled against Ike, bringing the ₦10 billion privacy suit to an end at the Federal High Court.
