Police Investigate Unauthorized Leak of Voter Registration Data in Nigeria’s FCT Detectives from Nigeria’s Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team have questioned Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and detained an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) official over the alleged unauthorized release of a voter’s registration record. The investigation stems from a petition filed by a top security aide to the INEC chairman, accusing individuals of criminal conspiracy, cyber intimidation, leaking classified documents, and conduct likely to breach public peace in connection with the exposure of Nollywood actor and politician Emeka Ike’s personal voter registration data. The incident unfolded on May 29, 2026, when protesters including Ike gathered at the INEC office in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), alleging irregularities in an ongoing party primary election. Following the protest, the AMAC Electoral Officer accessed Ike’s voter registration details through the INEC portal, despite his transfer application from Imo State to the FCT remaining unapproved. Instead of following official protocols, the officer instructed a subordinate to capture a screenshot of Ike’s confidential data from the INEC Voter Enrolment Device. The officer then contacted Olayinka via Facebook Messenger, later shifting the conversation to WhatsApp, where the classified document was shared. Olayinka subsequently posted the details on X (formerly Twitter) on May 30, questioning Ike’s eligibility to contest for a House of Representatives seat in Abuja. Olayinka, in his statement to police, admitted to posting videos of the protest and receiving the document from the INEC official, who claimed protesters were unfairly criticizing the commission. The electoral officer later deleted portions of the WhatsApp chat, but forensic analysis recovered the communications. While the INEC official remains in custody, Olayinka was granted administrative bail after questioning. The controversy drew reactions from political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and Ike has indicated plans to pursue legal action over the alleged data breach.

Unauthorized Voter Data Leak by FCT Minister’s Aide Sparks Investigations in Nigeria More than three weeks after Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) launched an investigation into the unauthorized disclosure of confidential voter registration data, no updates have been provided. The incident, involving Leke Olayinka, media aide to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, has raised concerns about data security ahead of the 2027 general elections. On May 30, Olayinka shared screenshots on X (formerly Twitter) containing details from actor-turned-politician Emeka Ike’s voter registration record, sourced from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) database. The disclosure prompted immediate scrutiny over INEC’s data access controls. INEC initially denied a system breach, stating that the data was accessed using valid credentials assigned to an authorized registration officer before being leaked without permission. The commission confirmed that its audit logs identified the specific account used and launched an internal investigation. The DSS and Nigeria Police Force also opened inquiries, with Olayinka summoned for questioning. Despite public interest, neither INEC nor the DSS has disclosed findings. Legal experts argue the breach violates Nigeria’s Data Protection Act, Cybercrimes Act, and constitutional privacy protections. Festus Ogun, a human rights lawyer, criticized INEC’s internal controls, suggesting some officials may be acting for political interests. He emphasized that the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) not the DSS holds statutory authority to investigate and impose sanctions. Savn Daniel, another legal practitioner, expressed concerns over INEC’s independence, stating the incident undermines public trust in the electoral body. He called for an independent probe, asserting that INEC cannot investigate itself and that liability extends beyond Olayinka to the institution responsible for safeguarding voter data. The case highlights vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s electoral data security and the need for stronger enforcement against unauthorized disclosures.