Police have interrogated Lere Olayinka, an aide to Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, as part of a widening investigation into how sensitive INEC voter data fell into unauthorised hands.
The interrogation follows the arrest of an INEC officer linked to the leak of confidential voter records. Investigators say the data was accessed without permission and shared beyond INEC's secure systems, raising serious questions about how the election commission handles sensitive information.
Olayinka's questioning suggests the leaked information may have circulated within political circles in Rivers State and beyond. The probe aims to establish who accessed the data, who received it, and what they did with it. Police sources said the investigation has identified multiple points where the material changed hands.
INEC has faced mounting pressure over data security in recent years. The commission stores millions of voter records, polling locations, and other election-sensitive material that could be exploited to manipulate electoral processes. The leak involves information tied to Emeka Ike, though the exact nature of that connection remains unclear.
The INEC officer arrested has not been named publicly. Police said the officer admitted to unauthorised access but denied deliberately selling the data. Investigators are now determining whether the leak was motivated by money, political favour, or something else entirely.
Government officials have called for stronger protections around INEC systems. The commission promised to review its access protocols and audit which staff members have touched sensitive voter databases. A committee to investigate the breach will submit findings within two weeks.
