Police Arrest INEC Official Over Alleged Voter Data Leak, Investigates Wike’s Aide

The Nigeria Police Force has begun investigating the alleged unauthorised access and leakage of classified voter information from the database of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The probe has led to the arrest of an INEC official and the interrogation of Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Senior police sources who spoke with Vanguard said operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team are investigating allegations of database misuse, cyber-related offences and unauthorised disclosure of sensitive INEC documents.

As part of the investigation, an INEC electoral officer, whose identity has not been disclosed, has been taken into custody.

Olayinka was also questioned by investigators on Tuesday at the Police Headquarters in Abuja.

The investigation followed a petition reportedly filed on behalf of INEC, alleging criminal conspiracy, cyber intimidation and unlawful release of classified electoral records.

The controversy began after Olayinka shared screenshots on social media purportedly showing details of a voter registration transfer involving Nollywood actor and politician, Emeka Ike.

The screenshots allegedly showed Ike’s transfer of voter registration from Imo State to the Federal Capital Territory.

The post came amid questions over Ike’s eligibility to contest a House of Representatives seat in the FCT after he criticised the Nigeria Democratic Congress primary process.

Many Nigerians questioned how Olayinka obtained the information, alleging that it could only have come from INEC’s restricted voter registration database.

INEC had on Tuesday denied reports that its Continuous Voter Registration database was hacked or breached.

The commission said the disclosure resulted from the misuse of legitimate internal access credentials by an authorised official.

Investigations reportedly showed that the detained electoral officer first contacted Olayinka through Facebook Messenger before sending voter registration documents to him via WhatsApp.

The documents were said to have been intended to show that Emeka Ike’s voter transfer request had recently been initiated and had not yet received final approval.

During interrogation, Olayinka reportedly told investigators that he had no prior relationship with the INEC official.

Sources said he also claimed that he was unaware the documents sent to him were classified.

He reportedly maintained that the electoral officer did not indicate that the information was confidential or restricted.

The Department of State Services has also launched a separate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disclosure.

Police authorities are reportedly considering charges against both the INEC official and Olayinka.

The possible charges include criminal conspiracy, cyber-related offences, unlawful disclosure of classified information and actions capable of causing breach of public peace.