The Nigeria Police Force has reportedly arrested an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and interrogated Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over an alleged voter data leak linked to the commission’s database.
The development follows growing controversy surrounding the circulation of sensitive voter registration information belonging to Nollywood actor and politician Emeka Ike, which surfaced online in recent days.
According to reports, investigators attached to the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) invited and questioned Olayinka in Abuja over allegations relating to the unauthorized disclosure of confidential voter information.
Security sources disclosed that an INEC official suspected of granting unauthorized access to the commission’s voter registration system was also taken into custody as investigations intensified.
The controversy reportedly began after screenshots containing Emeka Ike’s voter registration details were shared online. The records allegedly revealed information connected to the actor’s transfer of voter registration from Imo State to the Federal Capital Territory.
The incident immediately triggered widespread reactions across social media, with many Nigerians expressing concern over the safety of personal data stored within INEC’s electoral database.
INEC, while reacting to the controversy, stated that preliminary investigations showed there was no evidence of external hacking of its system. The commission explained that the information was allegedly accessed using authorized credentials assigned to officials involved in the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
The electoral body further disclosed that all personnel connected to the incident are currently under investigation, adding that disciplinary and legal measures may be taken against anyone found culpable.
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) has reportedly launched a parallel investigation into the alleged breach.
Legal representatives of Emeka Ike have condemned the publication of the actor’s voter information, describing it as a violation of privacy and a dangerous precedent capable of undermining public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The lawyers also warned that legal action could be initiated against individuals responsible for leaking or disseminating the confidential records.
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