A LAWMAKER representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Alexander Ikwechegh, has been taken into custody by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, following a viral video showing him assaulting a Bolt driver, Stephen Abuwatseya.
The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday, October 27, in the Maitama area of Abuja, where a dispute over the delivery method of snails he allegedly ordered escalated into a physical assault.
According to a statement by the police public relations officer for the FCT Command, Josephine Adeh, the lawmaker is being questioned by the police.
“The FCT Police Command expresses grave concern over Hon. Ikwegh’s dismissive attitude toward the office of the inspector general of police following the incident. After allegedly slapping the victim, he reportedly remarked with contempt, ‘You can go ahead and call the inspector general of police,” demonstrating a troubling disregard for the authority of law enforcement.
“Currently, the suspect is at the Maitama Police Station undergoing questioning. Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Olatunji Disu, has mandated a thorough investigation into the matter. The command is committed to conducting an impartial investigation and ensuring justice in all cases. Upon completion of the investigation, appropriate legal action will be taken,” the police said.
The ICIR reported that the video footage, which circulated widely on social media, showed Ikwechegh assaulting and verbally threatening Abuwatseya, with statements like “I will make you disappear,” “I will tie you up,” and “I will beat you up.”
The driver had asked Ikwechegh to come out and get the snail he was meant to deliver, but this, according to the video, did not sit well with Ikwechegh, who resorted to dubbing the driver ‘disrespectful.’
Ikwechegh then went ahead to slap the driver multiple times, noting that he would make him suffer.
The legislator appeared visibly angry in the footage, engaging in a heated exchange with the driver before resorting to physical intimidation and vocal threats.
The ICIR, however, could not confirm if the lawmaker went further to assault the driver beyond what was disclosed in the video.
In the video, the lawmaker was also heard saying the driver should record him and petition the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has condemned the assault on the Bolt driver by Ikwechegh.
The APGA, in a statement by its national publicity secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, on Monday, October 28, expressed its commitment to human rights and launched a formal investigation into the lawmaker’s conduct.
“The attention of our great party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, has been drawn to a viral video of alleged assault meted out to a citizen by the Honourable member representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency, Alex Ikwechegh. As a political party founded on respect for human rights, we roundly condemn the action of our said member.” APGA stated.
In the statement, the party made it clear that it would not condone any behaviour that compromises human dignity.
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Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: umustapha@icirnigeria.com. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M