The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned the N10 billion fundamental rights lawsuit filed by Nollywood actor Emeka Ike against Lere Olayinka, a Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, until July 22.
Justice Salim Ibrahim fixed the new date on Thursday to allow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to appear before the court and participate in the proceedings.
The lawsuit arose from allegations that Olayinka unlawfully disclosed Ike’s voter registration details on X, formerly known as Twitter, in May. The actor claimed that the publication exposed confidential personal information, including the transfer of his voter registration from Imo State to the Federal Capital Territory.
Emeka Ike, who recently contested the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) primary for the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections, argued that the disclosure amounted to a violation of his constitutional right to privacy.
In the suit, the actor is seeking N10 billion in damages, insisting that the release of his voter information without his consent was unlawful and infringed on his fundamental rights.
At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel to the plaintiff, L.T. Adeh, informed the court that Olayinka had already filed his court processes. He added that a response to the defendant’s counter-affidavit would be filed between Thursday and Friday.
Adeh also told the court that although hearing notices had been served on both respondents, INEC was absent. He therefore requested a short adjournment to enable the electoral body to appear before the court.
Counsel to Olayinka, Akpama Ekwe, did not oppose the request for an adjournment. However, he maintained that INEC could not be compelled to attend the proceedings despite being served.
Justice Ibrahim ruled that fairness demanded that the electoral commission be given another opportunity to appear before the court before the matter proceeds.
The judge subsequently ordered that fresh hearing notices, along with all relevant court documents, be served on INEC ahead of the next sitting.
According to the court, granting the adjournment was necessary to ensure that all parties with an interest in the case have the opportunity to present their positions.
Legal observers believe the outcome of the suit could shape future judicial decisions on the protection of voter information and the handling of citizens’ personal data by public officials.
The case has also attracted attention from stakeholders in the legal, political, entertainment and data protection sectors, who see it as a significant test of Nigeria’s privacy and data protection laws.
The matter is expected to resume on July 22, when the court hopes to hear from all parties, including INEC, before taking further steps in the high-profile lawsuit.
