The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a ₦10 billion fundamental rights suit filed by Nollywood actor and House of Representatives aspirant Emeka Ike, arguing that information contained in the national voter register is public and not confidential.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that details contained in Nigeria’s national register of voters are public information and not classified or confidential data.
The commission made the submission in response to a ₦10 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Nollywood actor and House of Representatives aspirant Emeka Ike, who accused INEC and Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of violating his constitutional right to privacy following the publication of his voter registration details on X (formerly Twitter).
INEC Defends Publication of Voter Information
In a counter-affidavit filed before the court, INEC argued that it is constitutionally and statutorily empowered to compile, maintain, display, certify and publish the national register of voters in accordance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, and the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.
The commission maintained that the information at the centre of the dispute is neither sensitive nor confidential and is made available for public scrutiny as required by law. It further argued that publishing such information does not require the consent of individual registered voters.
The counter-affidavit was deposed to by Anthonia Makwe, an Assistant Director and Data Protection Officer in INEC’s Legal Drafting and Clearance Department.
Emeka Ike Seeks ₦10 Billion Damages
Emeka Ike is asking the court to declare that the publication of his voter registration details violated his constitutional right to privacy and personal data protection.
The actor alleges that information from his voter registration record was shared online without his consent, prompting him to seek ₦10 billion in damages against INEC and Lere Olayinka.
Wike’s Aide Also Rejects Allegations
In a separate counter-affidavit, Olayinka denied obtaining the information unlawfully.
He argued that the details he shared were already in the public domain and contained only Emeka Ike’s name and passport photograph.
Olayinka further submitted that, as a politician seeking elective office, the plaintiff could not reasonably claim confidentiality over information voluntarily submitted during the voter registration process. He also relied on Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires INEC to display the voters’ register for public inspection before elections.
Court Adjourns Hearing
After receiving the parties’ filings, Justice Salim Ibrahim adjourned the matter until October 12, 2026, for hearing.
The court has yet to determine whether Emeka Ike’s claims have merit, and no ruling has been made on the substantive issues raised in the suit.
The legal dispute arose after Emeka Ike’s voter registration details circulated on social media following his political activities.
The case has sparked wider discussions on the balance between electoral transparency and personal data protection, particularly regarding information contained in Nigeria’s voter register.