Fresh details have emerged in the growing controversy surrounding the leak of Nollywood actor Emeka Ike’s voter registration information, as security agencies intensify investigations into the incident.
Sources familiar with the matter revealed that Lere Olayinka, media aide to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, was reportedly questioned by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) in Abuja over his role in publishing sensitive voter information online.
The development follows public outrage after Olayinka shared screenshots allegedly showing details of Emeka Ike’s voter registration transfer from Imo State to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The information surfaced during a heated political debate over the actor’s eligibility to contest for a House of Representatives seat in Abuja following recent political activities within the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The post quickly generated controversy, with many Nigerians questioning how information believed to be stored within INEC’s restricted database became publicly accessible.
According to reports, investigators are examining allegations involving the unauthorised release of voter records, possible cyber-related offences, misuse of official databases and the circulation of classified documents.
Sources also disclosed that an INEC official whose identity has not yet been made public is currently being held and questioned as part of the ongoing investigation.
The probe reportedly began after a formal complaint was submitted on behalf of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), prompting security agencies to launch a full-scale inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the leak.
Investigators are said to be focusing on how the sensitive information was obtained, who authorised access to the records and whether any internal procedures were violated.
According to reports, preliminary findings suggest that the INEC official allegedly contacted Olayinka directly and provided documents intended to show that Emeka Ike’s voter registration transfer process had not yet been fully approved.
The official was said to have first reached out through Facebook Messenger before allegedly forwarding the voter records through WhatsApp.
During questioning, Olayinka reportedly maintained that he had no prior relationship with the electoral officer and was unaware that the documents he received were classified.
Sources familiar with the interrogation said he told investigators that the official did not indicate that the information was confidential or restricted.
Meanwhile, INEC has already clarified that there was no external hacking of its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) database.
The electoral commission stated that the information was accessed using valid internal credentials assigned to authorised personnel, adding that the issue stemmed from the misuse of those credentials rather than a cyberattack.
In addition to the police investigation, the Department of State Services (DSS) is also reportedly examining the circumstances surrounding the release of the voter data.
Security sources say authorities are considering possible charges related to criminal conspiracy, cyber infractions, unauthorised disclosure of classified information and other offences, depending on the outcome of ongoing investigations.
As the controversy continues to unfold, many Nigerians are calling for greater accountability and stronger safeguards to protect sensitive voter information ahead of future elections.
Source: TheCable
