A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a ₦10 billion lawsuit filed by Nollywood actor Emeka Ike against Lere Olayinka, an aide to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the alleged publication of his voter registration details on social media.

Justice Salim Ibrahim delivered the judgment on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, after considering objections raised by the respondents and the actor’s claims over the alleged violation of his right to privacy and protection of personal data.

Ike had approached the court seeking ₦10 billion in damages, arguing that Olayinka violated his fundamental rights by publishing information about his transfer of voter registration from Imo State to the Federal Capital Territory on his X account in May.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1272/2026, was filed through his lawyer, L.T. Adeh. The actor asked the court to declare that the publication of his voter registration information without his consent violated Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution, Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and relevant provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.

He also sought an order directing Olayinka to delete the disputed post and issue a written apology over the alleged infringement of his rights.

Ike further argued that INEC had a statutory responsibility to safeguard voters’ personal information against unauthorised access and disclosure. He maintained that the commission’s statement issued on June 2 in response to the controversy amounted to an admission of liability.

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However, INEC denied violating its obligation to protect voters’ information. The commission argued that the material in question was neither classified nor confidential and maintained that relevant electoral laws permitted certain voter information to be made available to the public.

INEC also denied that the disputed material originated from a breach of its secured database or that its systems had been unlawfully accessed.

Olayinka, in his defence, argued that the information he published contained Ike’s name and passport photograph, which he claimed were already in the public domain. He denied obtaining the information unlawfully or breaching any duty of confidentiality.

The aide also maintained that the publication was intended to draw attention to Ike’s transfer of voter registration and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act. He urged the court to dismiss the case, describing the actor’s damages claim as unjustified.

The dispute emerged after Ike indicated interest in contesting the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives in the 2027 general election on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). He subsequently lost the party’s primary election.

The dismissal represents a legal setback for the actor, who had sought substantial compensation over the publication of his voter registration details.

The case has also drawn attention to questions surrounding the handling of voters’ personal information, the limits of public disclosure and the responsibilities of electoral institutions in protecting citizens’ data.

Popular Nigerian gospel singer and evangelist Tope Alabi has threatened legal action against individuals spreading what she describes as false and defamatory statements about her, warning that people who repost or share such content could also face legal consequences.

The singer’s warning comes amid online controversy over allegations linking her and other gospel ministers to the death of fellow gospel singer Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings.

Alabi’s solicitors, Oakmount Legal Practitioners, issued a public notice dated October 23, 2026, which the singer shared on her Instagram page.

In the notice, the lawyers said they had been instructed to protect their client’s reputation against statements they described as false, misleading and injurious, allegedly being circulated through social media, videos, audio recordings, broadcasts and other platforms.

The legal team noted that Alabi had spent almost 30 years building her personal, professional and spiritual reputation, describing it as an important asset protected by law.

The lawyers warned that potential liability could extend beyond the original author of an allegedly defamatory statement to anyone who republishes, reposts, forwards or otherwise amplifies it, depending on the circumstances and any applicable legal defences.

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They also cautioned social media users against assuming that anonymous or pseudonymous accounts would protect them from legal action.

According to the notice, Alabi reserved the right to seek court orders, where legally permissible, to identify individuals responsible for the publications through social media platforms, website hosts and other relevant service providers.

The lawyers directed anyone who had already published the allegedly defamatory material to remove it immediately and refrain from further publication. They added, however, that deleting a post would not automatically eliminate potential liability for its earlier publication.

The notice further stated that Alabi had authorised the law firm to institute proceedings against individuals whose conduct gave rise to actionable claims without further notice.

Among the remedies the singer could seek are damages, injunctions restraining further publication, court-ordered retractions, public apologies and legal costs.

However, the lawyers clarified that the notice was not intended to prevent legitimate criticism or restrict freedom of expression.

They said truthful statements, fair comment on matters of public interest and the lawful exercise of freedom of expression remained outside the notice’s intended scope.

In a subsequent development reported on October 24, Alabi’s lawyers threatened legal action against a Canada-based pastor identified as Tayo Kumuyi, also known as Pastor Tayo Ministries, over alleged social media publications linking the singer to Toluwanisings’ death and claims involving other gospel ministers.

According to reports, the solicitors issued a cease-and-desist letter demanding the removal of the disputed publications, a retraction and a public apology within 24 hours.

The lawyers also expressed concern over what they described as repeated allegations and a subsequent social media post directed at their client.

The allegations against Alabi have not been established as facts, and the legal notice represents her side of the dispute. The specific claims and the circumstances surrounding the gospel singer’s death require independent verification.

The development highlights the potential legal consequences of publishing and circulating serious allegations about individuals online, particularly when such claims concern criminal conduct and could damage their reputations.

As of the latest reports, it was not clear whether Alabi had filed a lawsuit in court over the publications.