Emeka Ike Sues Lere Olayinka for N10 Billion Privacy Breach

Nollywood actor and House of Representatives aspirant Emeka Ike filed a lawsuit at the Abuja Federal High Court seeking N10 billion in damages for the alleged violation of his right to privacy. Ike alleges that Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, breached his personal data protection by posting confidential voter registration details on the social media platform X in May. The suit also names the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a defendant, arguing the agency failed its statutory duty of care.

In response, Lere Olayinka and INEC have both requested the court to dismiss the suit. Olayinka asserted that the published information, consisting of Ike's name and passport photograph, was already in the public domain and not accessed through unlawful means. INEC argued that it possesses the statutory and constitutional power to make voter information available to the general public under the Electoral Act 2026, maintaining that such data is not classified or confidential.

Justice Salim Ahmed Ibrahim advised the parties to pursue an out-of-court settlement, noting that Ike's counsel remains open to an offer from the respondents. The court adjourned the proceedings until October 12, 2026, for a further hearing.