THE law firm of human rights activist Deji Adeyanju has withdrawn from a suit instituted by a Bolt driver, Stephen Abuwatseya, where he charged a lawmaker, Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, to court over assault.
The withdrawal of the law firm from the assault case followed the trending video of Abuwatseya apologising to the lawmaker.
In the video released on Thursday, November 7, Abuwatseya conveyed regret for provoking Ikwechegh and asked Nigerians for forgiveness.
He also urged everyone to move on from the incident.
“Good day, Nigerians. My name is Stephen Abuwatseya. I had a misunderstanding with Rt. Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh a few days ago. I actually want to apologise to him for whatever I must have said or done to provoke him to that level of anger.
“I want to tell Nigerians that it’s not time for us to start dividing ourselves based on religion, tribes, or regions. We should actually come together, see how we can unite this nation, and move it forward.
“Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive and forget, as it’s even contained in our Lord’s Prayer, that ‘Lord, please forgive us, as we forgive those who trespass against us.’ For there is no justice without forgiveness. Thank you very much,” Abuwatseya stated in the video.
However, in a statement posted on X on Friday, November 8 and signed by Zainab Otega, the law firm representing Abuwatseya in the lawsuit, Deji Adeyanju and Partners, announced the withdrawal of their legal representation in the case.
“On October 28, 2024, Mr. Stephen Abuwatseye walked into our law firm, visibly distressed, and sought redress over an alleged assault. Following his complaint and having verified his claim, we took steps to protect Mr. Stephen Abuwatseye’s rights on a pro bono basis, culminating in the arraignment of the alleged assaulter.
“However, in view of recent developments and after careful consideration, we have made the decision to withdraw our legal representation in order to protect our professional integrity and maintain the highest ethical standard in the legal profession,” the law firm stated.
The ICIR reported that the lawmaker, who represents Aba North and South Federal Constituency of Abia State, was seen assaulting and threatening Abuwatseya in a video that went viral on Monday, October 28.
The legislator appeared visibly angry in the footage, engaging in a heated exchange with the driver before resorting to physical intimidation and vocal threats and eventually slapping him.
However, he later expressed regrets for slapping and threatening the bolt driver, tendering an apology in a statement titled “A Statement of Regret and Commitment to Justice.”
Ikwechegh acknowledged that his actions fell short of what was expected of a public servant.
He pledged to assist the police in their investigation of the attack.
But despite the lawmaker’s apology, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) charged him to court on Wednesday, October 30.
Ikwechegh was charged before a magistrate court in the Kuje area of the FCT, where he was granted N500,000 bail.
He was arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on assault and threat to life.
The charges were filed by the inspector general of the police’s special investigation unit.
A reporter with the ICIR
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