The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed Nollywood actor Emeka Ike’s N10 billion suit against Lere Olayinka, an aide to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the alleged publication of his voter registration details on social media.
Justice Salim Ibrahim ruled that the suit was incompetent, improperly constituted and unsupported by sufficient proof.
Ike had accused Olayinka of violating his privacy by posting details of his voter registration transfer from Imo State to Abuja on X in May. He sought N10 billion in damages, a retraction and a written apology.
INEC argued that the information was not classified or confidential and that its publication was consistent with its statutory responsibilities. It also denied that the post originated from its commission.
Olayinka maintained that the post contained only Ike’s name and passport photograph, which he said were already in the public domain. He denied unlawfully accessing the information or owing the actor a duty of confidentiality.
Ike, who sought to contest the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency seat in the 2027 elections on the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) platform, lost the party’s primary.