Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has been questioned by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force over the controversial disclosure of voter information obtained from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) database.
Sources familiar with the investigation disclosed that Olayinka appeared before investigators attached to the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday as part of an ongoing probe into alleged cyber-related offences and the unauthorised release of sensitive electoral records.
The investigation follows a complaint reportedly lodged on behalf of INEC, alleging criminal conspiracy, cyber intimidation and the unlawful disclosure of confidential documents.
An INEC official whose identity has not been made public is also said to be in custody in connection with the incident.
The controversy erupted after Olayinka shared screenshots on social media platform X containing details of the voter registration transfer of Nollywood actor and politician, Emeka Ike, from Imo State to the Federal Capital Territory.
The FCT minister’s aide had used the information to question Ike’s qualification to contest a House of Representatives seat in Abuja, following the actor’s criticism of the primary election process of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The post quickly generated public backlash, with many Nigerians raising concerns over how Olayinka obtained information believed to be accessible only through INEC’s internal voter registration system.
Responding to the controversy, Independent National Electoral Commission on Tuesday denied reports that its Continuous Voter Registration database had been hacked. The commission maintained that the incident resulted from the misuse of authorised internal credentials rather than an external cyberattack.
Sources close to the investigation said the detained electoral officer allegedly contacted Olayinka through Facebook Messenger before forwarding the voter registration records to him via WhatsApp. The official reportedly intended to provide evidence that Ike’s request for voter transfer was recent and had not yet received approval.
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During questioning, Olayinka was said to have told investigators that he had no prior relationship with the INEC official and was unaware that the documents shared with him were classified.
The aide reportedly maintained that the electoral officer did not indicate that the information was confidential or restricted.
In addition to the police investigation, the Department of State Services is also examining the circumstances surrounding the release of the voter data.
Sources indicated that investigators are considering possible charges against both Olayinka and the electoral officer, including criminal conspiracy, cyber-related offences, unauthorised dissemination of classified documents and actions capable of disturbing public peace.
The probe continues as authorities seek to determine how the sensitive voter information was accessed and circulated.