Fresh details have emerged regarding the circumstances surrounding the alleged unauthorized release of the voter registration records of Nollywood actor and politician, Emeka Ike, by an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The controversy began after Lere Olayinka, a media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, revealed on social media that Ike had recently transferred his voter registration from Imo State to the FCT.
Olayinka’s post questioned the actor’s qualification to contest for a House of Representatives seat in Abuja, citing records that allegedly showed his voter registration transfer was initiated on May 15, 2026.
Following the disclosure, Ike threatened legal action, describing the release of his personal information as unlawful. The development prompted an investigation by the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), which reportedly detained the INEC official linked to the leak and invited Olayinka for questioning.
According to security sources, the detained official is an electoral officer attached to the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC). He is being investigated over allegations of leaking confidential voter registration data connected to a political dispute arising from a party primary election.
Investigators were said to have acted on a petition alleging criminal conspiracy, cyber-related offences, intimidation, and the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive documents containing Ike’s personal information.
Sources familiar with the probe disclosed that the matter originated on May 29, 2026, when political protesters gathered at the AMAC INEC office, accusing the commission of irregularities during an ongoing primary election. During the protest, the electoral officer reportedly accessed Ike’s voter registration details through INEC’s internal system and instructed a subordinate to obtain a screenshot from the Voter Enrolment Device.
The information was allegedly shared with Olayinka after the two made contact through Facebook Messenger before continuing their conversation on WhatsApp.
Investigators believe the electoral officer, angered by the protesters’ actions, bypassed official procedures and released the confidential information. The document was subsequently forwarded to Olayinka via WhatsApp.
Another source familiar with the investigation said Olayinka told investigators he had earlier posted videos of the protest online and was later contacted by the electoral officer, who complained that INEC was being unfairly criticized by individuals he claimed were not validly registered voters in the FCT.
According to the source, Olayinka stated that the official promised to provide evidence supporting his claims and later sent the voter registration document through WhatsApp.
The investigation also reportedly uncovered attempts by the electoral officer to delete portions of the WhatsApp conversation after public attention focused on the leaked document. However, forensic experts were said to have recovered the deleted messages.
While the electoral officer remains in custody as investigations continue, Olayinka was reportedly granted administrative bail after honouring the police invitation and providing his statement.
Confirming the invitation, Olayinka stated that he cooperated fully with investigators as a law-abiding citizen but declined to make further comments on the ongoing probe.