A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed a ₦10 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 dismissed the suit on Wednesday for lacking merit, ruling that the actor failed to establish his claims against the defendants with credible evidence.
Emeka Ike had approached the court, seeking ₦10 billion in damages over the alleged publication of his personal data in INEC’s database. He argued that the actions of Olayinka and the electoral commission had caused him considerable hardship and damage.
The actor also asked the court to declare the defendants’ alleged actions illegal and unconstitutional.
However, delivering judgment, the presiding judge, Justice Salim Ibrahim, held that Ike had failed to provide credible evidence to substantiate his allegations against the defendants.
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The judge said the plaintiff could not establish how his rights had been violated by INEC and Wike’s aide, adding that the suit lacked substance.
Justice Ibrahim consequently dismissed the case in favour of the defendants. The court did not award costs but cautioned against filing frivolous lawsuits that waste judicial time.
