Nollywood actor Emeka Ike has suffered a legal setback after the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed his ₦10 billion fundamental rights lawsuit against Lere Olayinka, an aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Delivering judgment on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, Justice Salim Ibrahim upheld the respondents' preliminary objections, ruling that the suit was improperly constituted and that the substantive claims lacked sufficient proof.
The dispute began in May 2026 when Olayinka allegedly published details of the actor's voter registration on social media without his consent. Ike claimed the publication exposed personal information relating to the transfer of his voter registration from Imo State to the Federal Capital Territory, violating his constitutional right to privacy and protection of personal data. The actor, who had sought the Nigerian Democratic Congress ticket for the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 elections, subsequently filed the lawsuit seeking ₦10 billion in damages.
In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1272/2026, Ike argued that the publication violated Section 37 of the Nigerian Constitution and provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023. He also asked the court to declare that INEC had a legal responsibility to safeguard voters' personal information, while seeking an order compelling Olayinka to delete the disputed social media post and issue a written apology.
However, INEC rejected the allegations, maintaining that the information in question was not classified or confidential and that electoral laws permitted the public display of certain voter registration details. The commission also denied that the disputed information originated from its database. Olayinka similarly denied wrongdoing, arguing that the material he shared contained only Ike's name and photograph, which he claimed were already publicly available.
Justice Ibrahim ultimately dismissed both the fundamental rights claims and the request for financial compensation after finding that the applicant had failed to establish his case. The judgment brings the proceedings at the Federal High Court to a close, although the actor retains the right to challenge the decision through the appropriate appellate process. No appeal had been announced at the time of the ruling.
Filed under
#Emeka Ike
#Lere Olayinka
#Nyesom Wike
#INEC
#Federal High Court
#Nollywood
#Privacy Rights
#Court Judgment
#Nigerian Judiciary
#Entertainment News
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Summary
A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed Nollywood actor Emeka Ike's ₦10 billion privacy lawsuit against Wike's aide, Lere Olayinka, and INEC, ruling that the case was improperly constituted and unsupported by sufficient evidence. Nollywood actor Emeka Ike has suffered a legal setback after the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed his ₦10 billion fundamental rights lawsuit...
Key takeaways
- A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed Nollywood actor Emeka Ike's ₦10 billion privacy lawsuit against Wike's aide, Lere Olayinka, and INEC, ruling that the case was improperly constituted and unsupported by sufficient evidence.
- Nollywood actor Emeka Ike has suffered a legal setback after the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed his ₦10 billion fundamental rights lawsuit against Lere Olayinka, an aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
- Delivering judgment on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, Justice Salim Ibrahim upheld the respondents' preliminary objections, ruling that the suit was improperly constituted and that the substantive claims lacked sufficient proof.The dispute began in May 2026 when Olayinka allegedly published details of the actor's voter registration on social media without his consent.
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What is this story about?
A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed Nollywood actor Emeka Ike's ₦10 billion privacy lawsuit against Wike's aide, Lere Olayinka, and INEC, ruling that the case was improperly constituted and unsupported by sufficient evidence. Nollywood actor Emeka Ike has suffered a legal setback after the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed his ₦10 billion fundamental rights lawsuit...
Who published this story?
Glow 99.1 FM published this story with Babatunde Ademola Fadewo listed as author.
When was it published?
October 28, 2026
