Court Adjourns Emeka Ike’s ₦10bn Privacy Breach Suit Against INEC, Wike’s Aide

A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned until July 22, 2026, further proceedings in the ₦10 billion privacy breach suit filed by Nollywood actor and politician Emeka Ike against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Justice S.O. Ibrahim fixed the new date after INEC, the second respondent, failed to appear in court despite being served with hearing notices.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1272/2026, centres on the alleged unlawful disclosure of Ike’s voter registration details, which were published on Olayinka’s verified X (formerly Twitter) account during a political exchange over the actor’s participation in the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency House of Representatives primary ahead of the 2027 general election.

At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel to the plaintiff, L.T. Adeh, informed the court that Olayinka had filed and served a counter-affidavit but noted that INEC was absent despite receiving hearing notices.

Adeh urged the court to grant a short adjournment to enable the electoral commission to appear and participate in the proceedings. He also disclosed that the plaintiff would file a reply to the first respondent’s counter-affidavit before the next hearing.

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Counsel for Olayinka, Akpama Ekwe, said he was ready to proceed with the case but did not oppose the request for an adjournment. He argued, however, that INEC could not be compelled to appear before the court.

Justice Ibrahim ruled that the interest of fair hearing required giving the electoral commission another opportunity to participate in the proceedings. He subsequently adjourned the matter until July 22 and directed that INEC be served afresh with hearing notices and all court processes filed in the suit.

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The legal action stems from screenshots showing the transfer of Emeka Ike’s voter registration from Imo State to the Federal Capital Territory, which surfaced on social media in May.

According to the actor, the information was obtained from INEC’s restricted Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) administrative portal and published without his consent.

Ike contends that the disclosure violated his constitutional right to privacy under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and breached the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023.

The actor is asking the court to declare the publication unlawful, order the removal of the social media post from all platforms, compel Olayinka to publish a public apology, and award him ₦10 billion in general, aggravated and exemplary damages.

Speaking with journalists after the hearing, Olayinka’s lawyer, Akpama Ekwe, argued that his client did not publish any sensitive personal information.

According to him, the documents only contained Ike’s name, passport photograph and voter transfer reference number.

“There is no case against my client. What he published was already in the public domain and did not contain any confidential personal information,” Ekwe maintained.

He also described the documents relied upon by the plaintiff as inadmissible and insisted that Olayinka committed no offence.

Reacting after the proceedings, Ike’s lawyer, L.T. Adeh, said the case extends beyond his client and could help strengthen the protection of Nigerians’ personal information.

He argued that if one person’s voter record could be accessed and published without authorisation, millions of other voter records could also be vulnerable.

Adeh expressed confidence that the court would establish an important legal precedent capable of improving compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act and safeguarding the personal data of registered voters.

Meanwhile, INEC has consistently maintained that its servers were not hacked.

The electoral commission said preliminary investigations showed that the documents were accessed through the alleged misuse of authorised internal credentials rather than any breach of its database.

INEC has reportedly suspended the electoral officer linked to the incident and said it is cooperating with relevant security agencies and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) in ongoing investigations.

The case has attracted widespread public attention because it raises significant questions about data protection, cybersecurity, electoral integrity and the responsibility of public institutions to safeguard the personal information of more than 90 million registered Nigerian voters.

Legal observers believe the outcome of the suit could become one of Nigeria’s most significant judicial interpretations of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, particularly regarding the handling and disclosure of citizens’ personal data by government agencies and public officials.

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Court Adjourns Emeka Ike’s ₦10bn Privacy Breach Suit Against INEC, Wike’s Aide

Yoruba Movie Industry Mourns Veteran Actor, Elegbeje Ado

The Yoruba film industry has been plunged into mourning following the death of veteran actor and Christian cleric, Taiwo Adeshina, popularly known as Elegbeje Ado, whose passing marks the end of a remarkable career that spanned both the entertainment and gospel ministries.

Adeshina reportedly died on Monday, June 29, 2026, after a brief illness. News of his death broke on Tuesday, triggering an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, fans and members of the gospel film community, who celebrated his immense contributions to Yoruba cinema and his unwavering commitment to Christian evangelism.

Widely regarded as one of the respected character actors in the Yoruba movie industry, Adeshina built a distinguished career through memorable performances in numerous indigenous films. His versatility, professionalism and dedication earned him admiration from audiences and fellow actors alike.

Beyond the screen, Adeshina answered the call to Christian ministry and later announced his decision to quit secular filmmaking in order to focus entirely on gospel film production and evangelism. The move reflected his desire to use drama as a platform for spreading the Christian faith and promoting moral values.

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His transition into gospel filmmaking further expanded his influence, making him a respected figure among faith-based filmmakers and younger actors who looked up to him as a mentor. Through his productions and pastoral work, he inspired many with his passion for excellence, discipline and service to God.

Although the exact cause of his illness was not disclosed, news of his passing has generated widespread reactions on social media, where admirers described him as a humble, gifted and selfless entertainer whose impact on the Yoruba film industry will endure for generations.

Tributes have continued to pour in from actors, filmmakers, church leaders and fans, many of whom remembered him not only for his unforgettable roles on screen but also for his devotion to Christian ministry and his exemplary lifestyle.

Adeshina’s death represents a significant loss to both the Nigerian entertainment industry and the gospel community. His enduring legacy lives on through the countless films he featured in, the gospel productions he championed and the many lives he touched through his ministry.

He is survived by his family, church members, colleagues and numerous admirers. As of the time of filing this report, funeral arrangements had yet to be announced.

Yoruba Movie Industry Mourns Veteran Actor, Elegbeje Ado

Fuji Icon Kollington Ayinla Is Alive, Not Dead — Mgt Debunks Death Rumours

The management of veteran Fuji musician, Kollington Ayinla, also known as Kebe-n-Kwara, has dismissed reports circulating online claiming that the music icon has died, describing the information as false, malicious, and misleading. In a statement issued on Saturday, signed by Shamsudeen Ilori on behalf of the family and the HSKA Foundation, the singer’s organisation said the reports of Ayinla’s death were fabricated by individuals seeking attention and online traffic. “Our attention has been drawn to a malicious and unfounded rumor circulating all over the Internet claiming that Kollington Ayinla Fuji Authority has passed away,” the statement read. The management stressed that the veteran artiste remains alive and in good health, adding that the rumour was deliberately designed to cause distress to the musician’s family, fans and associates. “Alhaji Kollington Ayinla is ALIVE, WELL, and IN GOOD HEALTH. Baba is currently enjoying himself, surrounded by family and close associates, and still blessing the world with his unmatched Fuji music dexterity and wisdom,” the statement added.

Describing the report as the handiwork of “heartless people,” the management accused those behind the claim of attempting to disrespect a living legend and create unnecessary confusion. The organisation also warned social media users and content creators against spreading unverified information, urging the public to verify claims before sharing them, threatening legal action against anyone found to have originated or deliberately circulated the false report. “Spreading false death news is not content — it’s wickedness. The family, management, and legal team of Alhaji Kollington Ayinla will not let this slide. Anyone caught creating or spreading this falsehood will face the full wrath of the law,” it stated. Reassuring supporters across the world, the organisation urged fans, friends, and family members to disregard the rumour entirely, saying the Fuji star remains healthy and appreciative of the goodwill shown towards him.

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This is not the first time the Fuji legend has been plagued by false death reports. In January 2024, Kollington Ayinla was forced to address similar rumours after speculation about his health circulated widely on social media. At the time, the 74-year-old musician released a video from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), where he was receiving treatment, to prove he was alive and recovering. “It is only God that can save a person but they really tried for me because I could have died but due to their efforts, I was saved,” the septuagenarian said in the video, expressing gratitude to the hospital management and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Born Abdulrasaq Kolawole Ilori on 20 August 1949, Kollington Ayinla hails from Ilota, a town on the outskirts of Ilorin, Kwara State. He ranks alongside his late friend and competitor, Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, as one of the two most important artists to dominate Fuji music from its inception in the 1970s through to the 1990s. Kollington began recording for Nigerian EMI in 1974 and achieved a pronounced lead over Barrister in 1978 when he introduced the powerful bata drum into his sound, a departure from the talking drums that Fuji had relied upon until that time. In 1982, he set up his own label, Kollington Records, through which he released no less than 30 albums over the next five years. To date, he has recorded more than 100 albums and remains one of the most prolific artists in Nigerian music history. The rivalry between Kollington and Barrister was legendary, but the two eventually reconciled before Barrister’s death. Kollington was also involved in a public feud with “Queen of Waka” star Salawa Abeni, whom he married and had three children with, including popular rapper Big Sheff.

Fuji Icon Kollington Ayinla Is Alive, Not Dead — Mgt Debunks Death Rumours