●FID-IRT probes unauthorised access to CVR database after Emeka Ike transfer screenshots surface
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested an Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, electoral officer and interrogated Lere Olayinka, media aide to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, over alleged unauthorised access and leakage of classified voter information from INEC’s database.
Senior police sources confirmed Wednesday that operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team, FID-IRT, are investigating allegations of database misuse, cyber-related offences and unlawful disclosure of sensitive national documents belonging to INEC.
As part of the probe, an INEC electoral officer whose identity was not disclosed has been taken into custody. Olayinka was questioned Tuesday at the Police Headquarters in Abuja.
The investigation followed a petition reportedly filed on behalf of INEC alleging criminal conspiracy, cyber intimidation, and unlawful release of classified 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.
The post surfaced amid questions about Ike’s eligibility to contest a House of Representatives seat in the FCT following his criticism of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, primary process. Many questioned how the information was obtained, alleging it could only have come from INEC’s restricted voter registration database.
Responding Tuesday, INEC denied reports of a hack or breach of its Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, database. The commission insisted the disclosure resulted from misuse of legitimate internal access credentials by an authorised official.
Investigations revealed the detained officer allegedly initiated contact with Olayinka via Facebook Messenger before forwarding voter registration documents to him via WhatsApp. The documents reportedly showed that Ike’s voter transfer request had been recently initiated and had not received final approval.
During interrogation, Olayinka reportedly told investigators he had no prior relationship with the INEC official and was unaware the documents were classified. Sources said he maintained the officer did not indicate the information was confidential or restricted.
The Department of State Services, DSS, has also launched a parallel investigation into the disclosure. Police authorities said they are considering 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. [Culled from Eagle Online]
