The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday dismissed N10 billion rights suit filed by Nollywood actor, Mr Emeka Ike, against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Lere Olayinka.
Justice Salim Ibrahim, in a judgment, upheld the preliminary objections of the respondents on the grounds that the suit was incompetent and improperly constituted.
Justice Ibrahim also dismissed the main suit on the ground of lack of proof.
The Tide source reports that Mr Ike, who aspired to vie for the House of Representatives’ seat for AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency, Abuja, for the 2027 general elections on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), lost the bid in a primary poll.
The FCT minister’s aide, through a post on X (formerly Twitter) in May, was alleged to have mocked Mr Ike by leaking his confidential voter registration details on social media.
The post was said to have shown details of Mr Ike’s voter registration transfer from Imo State to the nation’s capital.
Meanwhile, Mr Ike, in the suit filed by L. T. Adeh, sued Mr Olayinka and INEC as 1st and 2nd respondents in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1272/2026.
He asked the court to declare that Mr Olayinka’s publication of his personal details on INEC’s database on X without his approval “amounts to gross breach and violation of the applicant’s fundamental right to privacy and the protection of personal data”.
Mr Ike argued that Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution, Article 12 of the universal declaration of human rights, and Sections 24 & 39 of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 guaranteed his right to privacy and protection of personal data.
The actor asked the court to declare that INEC owed him and other voters a “statutory duty of care” to protect their private data against unauthorised access.
The applicant, therefore, prayed the court to award him N10 billion against Mr Olayinka and INEC as aggravated and general damages, to be paid jointly and severally for violating his fundamental right to privacy.
But responding in separate counter-affidavits, INEC and Mr Olayinka prayed the court to dismiss the suit in its entirety.
INEC, in its response, said the issue complained about in the suit filed by Mr Ike was neither classified, sensitive nor confidential information.
The Commission, in the counter affidavit deposed to by Anthonia Makwe, an Assistant Director/Data Protection Officer in the Legal Drafting and Clearance Department, said that such information is displayed and published in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2026.
It stressed that the electoral body has the “statutory and constitutional power to make available information of its voters to the general public without the consent of any registered voter.”
It said its “statutory responsibility includes the compilation, maintenance, display, publication, certification and management of the register of voters in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act 2026, and the National Data Protection Act 2023.
According to the electoral umpire, what was alleged to be posted by Mr Olayinka on his X handle did not emanate from the Commission.
“The 2nd respondent, as a data controller, has never breached its statutory duty of care, custody and protection of personal voter information and data; it owes the applicant and other voters under its secured portal and restricted database”, INEC said.
On his part, Mr Olayinka, in the counter-affidavit he deposed to, said the reliefs Mr Ike sought were in bad faith.
He said the only information contained in the document he published was Mr Ike’s name and passport photograph and that the information was already in the public domain.
He said, contrary to Mr Ike’s averment, the information he published was not only in the public domain but was not accessed through any unlawful means.
Mr Olayinka stated that he did not owe the actor any duty of care and confidentiality and did not require his consent to publish his name and passport photograph that was already in the public domain.
He said Mr Ike, who brought himself to contest election into the National Assembly, cannot be traumatised by the circulation of his name and passport photograph, which he personally presented to the public when seeking to contest election and as a Nollywood star.
He argued that information supplied in voters’ cards is not private data because, by the provision of Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, INEC is mandated to publish this, no later than 90 days to a general election.
He said contrary to Mr Ike’s deposition, the only information contained in the document published by him was his name and passport photograph.
He said the publication was done when Mr Ike led a team of hoodlums to the INEC office to disrupt INEC’s activities immediately after he declared his intention to contest the election.
According to him, the publication was to remind him that he just transferred his voter registration area.
He said it was also to draw the public attention to the statutory provision to avoid any breach of the law.
He said contrary to Mr Ike’s submission, the applicant who submitted his personal data and information to INEC and to general public when he decided to contest cannot feel unsafe and traumatised by the publication of his name and passport photograph.
Mr Olayinka said contrary to Mr Ike’s averment, INEC admitted in its press release that “there was no external breach of its CVR database, no hacking incident and no unauthorised external access to the commissions ICT infrastructure.”
He argued that the purported injury suffered by Mr Ike was not caused by him, who is not a data controller under the Nigerian Data Protection Act, 2023, and who does not owe him any obligation to safeguard his documents.
Mr Olayinka stated that the reliefs sought, including the N10 billion, were in bad faith and “an indication that the applicant is a gold digger who wants to reap where he did not sow.”
He insisted that he cannot pay damages for information that was already publicly accessible at the time of the publication.
He, therefore, urged the court to dismiss the suit in the interest of justice.

The Delta State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for signing the 13th-month salary bill into law, describing the development as a significant step towards improving workers’ welfare and boosting productivity in the state.
The party also praised the Delta State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, for passing the bill, noting that the legislation demonstrates the importance of cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of government in promoting policies that benefit the people.
The APC State Chairman, Chief Solomon Arenyeka, gave the commendation in a statement issued in Asaba on Wednesday by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Mr Valentine Onojeghuo.
Chief Arenyeka described the governor’s assent to the bill as a recognition of the sacrifices, dedication and contributions of workers to the growth and development of Delta State.
He said, “The signing of the 13th-month salary bill into law is a commendable development that underscores the importance of workers’ welfare in building a productive, prosperous and people-oriented society.
“Workers are the backbone of every functional government, and any policy that recognises their contributions and strengthens their economic well-being deserves commendation.”
The APC chairman noted that the initiative, when effectively implemented in accordance with the law, could provide additional financial relief to eligible workers, support household needs and stimulate economic activities across the state.
According to him, a government that values its workforce invests in the stability and prosperity of its people, adding that the governor’s action reflects the importance of rewarding service, encouraging productivity and strengthening relations between government and its employees.
The party also commended Rt Hon. Guwor and members of the State House of Assembly for the legislative process that culminated in the passage of the bill.
Chief Arenyeka said, “We commend the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, and the entire Delta State House of Assembly for the legislative work that culminated in the passage of this important bill.
“The development demonstrates the value of purposeful lawmaking and cooperation among institutions of government in advancing policies that respond to the needs and aspirations of the people.”
The Delta State APC, however, stressed that the success of the legislation would depend on its effective implementation, transparency and the positive impact it delivers to eligible workers and their families.
The party urged relevant government institutions to ensure that the law is implemented sustainably and responsibly, taking into consideration its provisions and the state’s financial realities.
Reaffirming the party’s commitment to supporting policies that promote workers’ welfare, responsible governance and economic growth, Chief Arenyeka said the well-being of workers remained essential to the state’s overall development.
“The welfare of workers is an investment in the future of our state. When workers are valued, productivity is encouraged, families are supported, and society stands to benefit,” he said.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, has said that Ogoni people will reward President Bola Tinubu with their votes in the 2027 general elections for giving them a Federal University of Environment and Technology and appointing their sons and daughters into key federal positions.
The Minister, who said the Federal University of Environment and Technology will become a major driver of employment, economic growth and development in the Ogoni area, spoke on Wednesday at a Rainbow Coalition town hall meeting with the people of Tai at Gbenegininwa Hall, Saakpenwa, Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State.
He urged residents to appreciate the long-term benefits of the institution, describing its establishment as a significant achievement that could transform the fortunes of the area.
Chief Wike said the university was the product of sustained efforts by the late Senator Barry Mpigi, who worked to secure federal approval for its establishment before his death.
“If you don’t know what it is, even me as a minister, it would be difficult to go through the National Assembly. The National Assembly will pass it, it will now go to the President. Sometimes, the bill will stay there for years,” he said.
The minister’s remarks came as the Tai Local Government Council disclosed plans to partner with him on an estate project intended to provide accommodation for students, parents and visitors to the institution.
At the town hall meeting, Chief Wike also welcomed political associates who had returned to the Rainbow Coalition after disagreements, describing their reunion as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation among leaders and supporters.
He said the group had not broken into separate political parties, adding that the disagreements that arose among members should not prevent them from working together.
“Let me first of all welcome my brothers. They didn’t go anywhere. There was no fight, they didn’t go to any other party, the same party, but there was a small fight and so we’ve all come back together to work as a team,” he said.
The minister commended the local government chairman for his commitment to reconciliation and urged the leadership to ensure that returning members were treated fairly.
He said the reintegration process should be genuine and inclusive, stressing that political differences should not be allowed to undermine the group’s cohesion.
Chief Wike said the meeting was also intended to enable political stakeholders to assess their options and consider what would best serve the interests of Tai, Ogoni and the Rivers South-East Senatorial District.
He urged residents to examine the records of political leaders seeking their support rather than rely solely on campaign promises.
The minister questioned what some political figures had done for the area while occupying public offices, arguing that voters should assess their contributions to the development of Rivers State and the country.
Chief Wike also challenged political leaders in Tai to meet a proposed target of securing 70 per cent of votes for President Tinubu and other candidates supported by the Rainbow Coalition in the forthcoming elections.
He clarified that the target was based on votes cast in favour of the candidates, rather than 70 per cent of registered voters.
The minister recalled that Tai had traditionally been among the first local governments to deliver its election results in the Rivers South-East Senatorial District.
He encouraged the local government to maintain its record, adding that it could receive additional support if it achieved the target.
Chief Wike said the proposed incentive was intended to encourage political mobilisation and strengthen the coalition’s grassroots organisation.