Court Dismisses Emeka Ike’s N10bn Suit Against INEC, Wike’s Aide

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed a N10 billion damages suit filed by Nollywood actor Emeka Ike against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Lere Olayinka, an aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The court delivered its ruling on Wednesday, dismissing the suit for lacking merit after finding that the actor had failed to establish his claims against the defendants with credible evidence.

Ike had approached the court seeking N10 billion in compensation over the alleged publication of his personal data in INEC’s database. He claimed that the actions of the electoral commission and Olayinka had caused him significant hardship and damages.

The actor also asked the court to declare the defendants’ alleged actions illegal and unconstitutional.

However, in his ruling, the presiding judge, Justice Salim Ibrahim, held that Ike had failed to provide credible evidence demonstrating how his rights were violated by the defendants.

The judge reportedly found that the suit lacked substance and that the actor’s claims had not been sufficiently established.

Consequently, the court dismissed the case in favour of INEC and Olayinka. Justice Ibrahim did not award costs but cautioned against filing frivolous lawsuits that waste judicial time.

The ruling brings the legal action over the alleged publication of Ike’s personal information in the electoral commission’s database to a close at the trial court.