Detectives from the Force Intelligence Department’s Intelligence Response Team (IRT) have questioned the Senior Special Assistant on Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Lere Olayinka, and detained an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) official over the alleged unauthorised release of a voter registration record.
Sources familiar with the investigation, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the matter publicly, said the probe was initiated following a petition alleging cyber-related offences and the unlawful disclosure of confidential documents containing the personal information of actor and politician Emeka Ike.
The detained official, an electoral officer attached to the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), is being investigated for allegedly leaking confidential voter registration records amid a political controversy surrounding a party primary election.
“We have had the Electoral Officer for the Abuja Municipal Area Council in our custody since yesterday,” one source said.
“Also, Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, was invited and questioned over the Emeka Ike matter.
“A top security aide to the INEC chairman petitioned the police over allegations of criminal conspiracy, cyber intimidation, the leaking of classified documents and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace, all linked to the Emeka Ike case.”
According to security sources, the controversy stemmed from a protest held on May 29, 2026, at the INEC office in AMAC, where demonstrators alleged irregularities in an ongoing party primary election.
The sources said that following the protest, the AMAC electoral officer accessed the INEC portal and reviewed Ike’s voter registration details. He allegedly instructed a subordinate to obtain a screenshot of the actor’s information from the INEC Voter Enrolment Device.
“The leak occurred after a group of political actors, operating under a party platform, blocked the exit gate of the INEC AMAC office with vehicles and accused the commission of irregularities during the primary election process,” a source said.
“Through administrative checks, the Electoral Officer discovered that one of the leading protesters, Emeka Ike, had recently applied to transfer his voter registration from Imo State to the Federal Capital Territory. The application had not yet been formally approved by the commission.”
Investigators alleged that the information was later shared with Olayinka after both men established contact on Facebook Messenger before continuing their conversation on WhatsApp.
“Rather than follow official procedures, the Electoral Officer instructed a subordinate to capture a screenshot of the applicant’s confidential information directly from the voter enrolment device,” the source added.
“He subsequently contacted the FCT minister’s aide on Facebook Messenger. Their discussion later moved to WhatsApp, where the voter registration document was forwarded.”
Another source familiar with the investigation said Olayinka told investigators he had posted videos of the protest on social media before being contacted by the electoral officer, who claimed INEC was being unfairly criticised.
“In his statement, Olayinka said he did not previously know the electoral officer,” the source said.
“He explained that the official reached out via Facebook Messenger, expressing frustration that INEC was being blackmailed by individuals he claimed were not validly registered voters in the FCT.
“Olayinka also stated that the official offered to provide evidence in support of his claims, which was later sent to him via WhatsApp.”
Investigators further alleged that the electoral officer deleted parts of the WhatsApp conversation after the leaked document sparked public controversy.
“Forensic analysis recovered the deleted communications,” a source said.
While the electoral officer remains in custody, Olayinka was granted administrative bail after questioning.
When contacted, Olayinka confirmed he honoured the police invitation.
“I was invited yesterday, and as a law-abiding citizen, I honoured the invitation,” he said, declining further comment.
The controversy erupted on May 30 when Olayinka posted on X that Emeka Ike had only recently transferred his voter registration from Imo State to the FCT.
In the post, he questioned the actor’s eligibility to contest for a House of Representatives seat in Abuja, noting that the transfer request was made on May 15, 2026.
Olayinka attached two images to the post, prompting criticism from social media users who alleged that the documents originated from INEC’s restricted administrative portal.
Following the disclosure, Ike accused Olayinka of exposing his personal data and indicated his intention to pursue legal action over the alleged breach.
