Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has reportedly been questioned by police in Abuja over the alleged leak of voter information from the Independent National Electoral Commission database.
The interrogation was carried out on Tuesday at the Force Headquarters by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT). The probe is linked to allegations of cyber-related offences, unauthorised access to official records, and disclosure of restricted electoral documents.
A serving official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), whose identity has not been made public, has also been detained in connection with the incident. Security sources say investigators are examining how internal access credentials may have been used in the alleged leak.
The investigation follows a formal complaint lodged on behalf of INEC over alleged criminal conspiracy, cyber intimidation, and unauthorised dissemination of classified voter registration data.
The matter gained attention after Olayinka shared screenshots on social media platform X, showing details relating to the voter registration transfer of actor Emeka Ike from Imo State to the Federal Capital Territory. The post questioned the actor’s eligibility to contest a legislative seat, triggering public concern over possible access to restricted electoral systems.
INEC has denied claims of a cyberattack on its voter registration platform, stating that its systems were not externally breached. The commission attributed the exposure of voter information to misuse of valid internal access by authorised personnel.
Investigators also allege that an INEC staff member contacted Olayinka and shared additional material through messaging platforms. Olayinka reportedly told interrogators he had no prior relationship with the official and was unaware that the documents were classified.
The Department of State Services is also conducting a separate investigation into the incident as authorities broaden efforts to determine how the data was accessed and circulated.
