The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a N10 billion fundamental rights suit instituted by Nollywood actor and House of Representatives aspirant, Emeka Ike, insisting that voter registration information is public and not protected as confidential data.
In court documents filed in response to the suit, INEC argued that details contained in the national voters’ register are published in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and that the commission is legally empowered to make such information available for public scrutiny.
The electoral body stated that the information at the centre of the dispute is neither classified nor sensitive and does not require the consent of registered voters before publication.
The position was contained in a counter-affidavit deposed to by Anthonia Makwe, an Assistant Director and Data Protection Officer in INEC’s Legal Drafting and Clearance Department, in opposition 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 that the publication of his voter registration details on social media violated his constitutional right to privacy and data protection.
Through his counsel, Leonard Adeh, the actor is asking the court to award him N10 billion in damages, arguing that the release of his voter database without his approval amounted to an infringement of his fundamental rights.
Olayinka, however, denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that the information he shared was already in the public domain and had not been obtained through unlawful means.
In a counter-affidavit filed by his lawyer, Akpama Ekwe, Olayinka argued that the publication contained only Ike’s name and passport photograph, adding that he was under no legal obligation to treat such information as confidential.
He further contended that, as a politician seeking elective office, Ike could not reasonably claim emotional distress over the circulation of information he voluntarily submitted during the voter registration process.
Olayinka also relied on Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates INEC to display and publish the voters’ register before elections to enable public scrutiny and verification.
INEC also informed the court that its responsibilities under the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026 and the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 include compiling, maintaining, displaying, publishing and managing the national register of voters.
The commission denied releasing any confidential information or breaching its obligation to safeguard personal data, stressing that the document allegedly published by Olayinka did not originate from INEC.
Justice presiding over the matter adjourned further hearing until October 12, 2026.