A member of the House of Representatives, Alex Mascot Ikwechegh who boasted in a recorded video that not even the Inspector General of Police, IGP could call him to order for slapping a Bolt driver is being arraigned in court on Wednesday.
He is being arraigned at a Kuje Magistrate Court by the police who took over the investigation following a nationwide rage after Ikwechegh had initially reported to the police in Maitama Police Station that the driver harassed him.
However, the revelation of the video showed Ikwechegh slapping the calm Bolt driver at least three times and warning that not even the IGP could call him to account. He had also boasted that he could make the Bolt Driver disappear and nothing would come out of it.
Newsmen had, however, following a motion by the House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere tendered an apology to his colleagues in the House of Representatives saying that his behaviour was beneath expectations of a member of the House.
That apology was, however, dismissed by several as watery given that the lawmaker did not make a special focus to the victim of his assault.
Ikwechegh is being prosecuted by the Special Investigations Unit of the IGP.
Bolt Driver: Lawmaker Ikwechegh granted bail
A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh was on Wednesday granted bail after he appeared before a Chief Magistrate Court in Kuje, Abuja facing charges for allegedly assaulting a bolt driver at his residence in Abuja.
Ikwechegh, who represents the Aba North and South federal constituency in Abia State, pleaded not guilty to the allegations outlined in a First Information Report filed against him by the Nigerian Police Force. The charges include abuse of office, assault, and threats to life.
Following Ikwechegh’s plea of innocence, prosecution counsel Mr. A. Umar requested a date for a full hearing on the case. In response, Ikwechegh’s lawyer made an oral application for bail while the case is pending. The defense argued that the charges are bailable offenses and that Ikwechegh has the right to be presumed innocent under the amended 1999 Constitution.
Magistrate Abubakar Umar Sai’id indicated he was inclined to grant the bail request. He subsequently approved bail for Ikwechegh in the amount of N500,000, requiring two sureties to sign on his behalf. The court emphasized that these sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and provide utility bills as proof of their residence.
The case was adjourned to November 8 for trial.
The incident gained significant attention after a video surfaced on social media showing Ikwechegh slapping a bolt driver named Stephen Abuwatseya multiple times. Upset by what he perceived as the driver’s rude behavior, the lawmaker was recorded saying that he could make the driver “disappear without a trace” and that there would be no consequences for his actions.
Following public outrage over his behavior and statements, Ikwechegh later issued a public apology for his conduct. Among those present in court on Wednesday was Mr. Deji Adeyanju, the lawyer representing the bolt driver, who is the complainant in the case.