ABUJA, Nigeria — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that voter registration information at the centre of a ₦10 billion fundamental rights lawsuit filed by Nollywood actor and House of Representatives aspirant Emeka Ike is neither confidential nor classified under Nigerian law.
The electoral commission made the submission in response to a suit in which Ike alleges that the publication of his voter registration details violated his constitutional right to privacy and protections under Nigeria’s data protection laws.
INEC filed its defence in a counter-affidavit opposing the suit, which is before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The commission argued that it is empowered by the Constitution and the Electoral Act 2026 to compile, maintain and publish the register of voters for public scrutiny without first obtaining the consent of registered voters.
According to INEC, the information referenced in the lawsuit falls within records that are legally made available to the public as part of the electoral process and therefore cannot be regarded as confidential.
The commission further maintained that it acted within its statutory responsibilities under the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026 and the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.
Emeka Ike instituted the suit against INEC and Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, alleging that the publication of his voter registration details on the social media platform X breached his fundamental rights.
Through his legal counsel, the actor is seeking a declaration that the publication of information allegedly obtained from the voter database without his consent violated his constitutional right to privacy.
He is also demanding ₦10 billion in damages.
In a separate counter-affidavit, Olayinka denied unlawfully obtaining or publishing confidential information belonging to the actor.
He argued that the information circulated was already available in the public domain and contained only the applicant’s name and passport photograph.
Olayinka further contended that he owed Ike no duty of confidentiality, maintaining that individuals seeking elective political office cannot reasonably claim privacy over information voluntarily submitted during the voter registration process.
He also relied on provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 requiring INEC to display and publish the voters’ register before general elections for public inspection.
INEC, however, stated that the document allegedly published by Olayinka did not originate from the commission.
The electoral body also denied breaching any obligation to protect personal information entrusted to it, insisting that it continues to safeguard voter data in accordance with applicable laws.
The commission’s counter-affidavit was deposed to by Anthonia Makwe, an Assistant Director and Data Protection Officer in INEC’s Legal Drafting and Clearance Department.
After considering the preliminary filings from both parties, the Federal High Court adjourned the matter until October 12, 2026, for further hearing.
The case is expected to test the balance between statutory requirements for public access to voter information and the constitutional right to privacy under Nigeria’s electoral and data protection laws.
