Nollywood actor Emeka Ike has initiated legal proceedings against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Lere Olayinka, the media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The lawsuit stems from an alleged breach of privacy involving the unauthorized disclosure of the actor's voter registration information.
Suit Seeks ₦10 Billion in Damages
Emeka Ike is demanding ₦10 billion in damages, asserting that his constitutional right to privacy was violated. The controversy began when screenshots of his voter registration transfer application were posted on the social media platform X, sparking widespread concern.
INEC's Response to the Incident
INEC has previously stated that the leak was not a result of a system hack but rather an internal misuse of credentials. The electoral body clarified that an employee improperly accessed and shared the data, which does not constitute a breach of the commission's database security.
Legal Demands and Next Steps
In his lawsuit, Emeka Ike is asking the court to hold both INEC and Lere Olayinka liable for the unauthorized disclosure. He seeks an order for the immediate removal of the offending post from social media and a directive compelling Olayinka to issue a public apology. The case highlights growing concerns over data privacy and the handling of sensitive personal information by public institutions.
