The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has strongly pushed back against actor Emeka Ike’s N10 billion lawsuit, telling a Federal High Court that voter information is not confidential data.
In a bold legal response, INEC maintained that personal details obtained during voter registration do not enjoy the status of confidential information under Nigerian law.
The commission argued that such data forms part of public electoral records designed to ensure transparency, credibility, and accountability in the democratic process.
Emeka Ike had dragged INEC to court, accusing the electoral body of mishandling and exposing his voter information, which he claimed led to privacy breaches and reputational damage. The veteran Nollywood actor is seeking N10 billion in damages.
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However, INEC’s legal team told the court that the claims lack merit, citing provisions of the Electoral Act 2022. They stressed that basic voter particulars, including names and polling units, are not classified information but necessary public records meant to promote open and verifiable elections.
The case has ignited public conversation about the tension between data privacy rights and electoral transparency in Nigeria. While INEC insists its operations align with legal standards, critics and privacy advocates argue that in an era of increasing data misuse, stronger safeguards are needed for citizens’ biometric and personal information.
Ike’s legal representatives have described INEC’s position as dismissive of fundamental rights and have vowed to vigorously pursue the matter. The development comes amid growing scrutiny of how government agencies manage personal data.