ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Nigeria Police Force has launched an investigation into the alleged unauthorised access and disclosure of sensitive voter information from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) database, resulting in the questioning of Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike and arrest of an INEC official.
Senior police sources confirmed on Wednesday that operatives of the Force Intelligence Department-Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) are examining allegations involving database misuse, cyber-related offences and the unlawful release of classified electoral documents belonging to INEC.
As part of the ongoing investigation, an INEC electoral officer, whose identity has not been made public, has been taken into custody. Olayinka was also invited and interrogated on Tuesday at the Police Headquarters in Abuja.
The investigation followed a petition reportedly submitted on behalf of INEC, alleging criminal conspiracy, cyber intimidation and the illegal disclosure of confidential electoral records.
The controversy erupted after Olayinka shared screenshots on social media purportedly showing details of a voter registration transfer involving Nollywood actor and politician Emeka Ike from Imo State to the Federal Capital Territory.
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The publication came amid debates over Ike’s eligibility to contest a House of Representatives seat in the FCT following his criticism of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) primary process, prompting widespread public reaction.
Many Nigerians questioned the source of the information, arguing that the details could only have originated from INEC’s restricted voter registration database.
Responding to the controversy on Tuesday, INEC dismissed claims that its Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) database had been hacked or breached. The commission maintained that the incident stemmed from the misuse of legitimate internal access credentials by an authorised official.
Preliminary findings reportedly showed that the detained electoral officer initiated contact with Olayinka through Facebook Messenger before forwarding voter registration documents to him via WhatsApp.
Investigators believe the documents were shared to demonstrate that Emeka Ike’s voter transfer request had recently been initiated and was still awaiting final approval.
During questioning, Olayinka reportedly informed investigators that he had no previous relationship with the INEC official and did not know that the documents provided to him were classified.
Sources familiar with the probe said he insisted the electoral officer never informed him that the information was confidential or restricted.
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) has commenced a separate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disclosure of the voter records.
Police authorities are reportedly considering a range of possible charges against both the INEC official and Olayinka, including criminal conspiracy, cyber-related offences, unlawful disclosure of classified information and actions capable of causing a breach of public peace.
The investigation continues as security agencies seek to determine how the voter information was accessed and released, amid growing concerns over the protection of sensitive electoral data ahead of future elections.