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Assault on bolt driver: Lawmaker, Alex Ikwechegh gets N500,000 bail

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Joshua Fagbemi

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Alex Ikwechegh, Aba North and South House of Representative member of Abia State has been granted a N500,000 bail by a Magistrate Court in Kuje, Abuja. The honourable member was arraigned for the assault committed against a Bolt driver, Stephen Abuwatseya, outside his Abuja residence.

Recall that in a viral video, the lawmaker was seen threatening the Bolt Driver. He was also heard assaulting the driver with the statement “I can make you disappear and nothing will happen”

Alex Ikwechegh to be arraigned in Abuja court as Bolt promises to compensate assaulted driver

Alex Ikwechegh

Following his arraignment in court on Wednesday, Ikwechegh will now face a trial for his assault on Stephen Abuwatseya.

The Assault and Backlash


Recall that in a now-viral video, Alex Ikwechegh, the member representing Aba North and South federal constituency, could be seen visibly angry at the driver at his Maitama residence. Referring to the driver as a rat and a monkey, he threatened to make the man disappear, and “nothing will happen.”

When the driver demanded payment for his services, the legislator threatened to beat him up like a little brother before locking him up in a generator house. With that, he proceeded to slap the driver twice and promised to slap him a third time soon enough.

Are you even looking at me that you can beat me? Who the hell do you think that you are talking to? Do you know who I am? I am a Senator of this republic. Do you know who the f**k I am? How dare you? You are not leaving this place o. You see this place? You will suffer. I will deal with you. I am Alex Ikwechegh, a member of the House of Representatives. Call the Inspector General of Police, call him let him come,” Alex Ikwechegh could be heard yelling at the driver.

Alex Ikwechegh's assualt on driver: Bolt says it is taking steps to assist driver as police gets involved


Amid backlash from Nigerians, Alex Ikwechegh apologised for his actions on Monday, saying it fell below the standard of what is expected of a federal lawmaker. He admitted his actions were an embarrassment to the government institution he represents and to the country.

“A video has surfaced showing me engaging in unacceptable behaviour towards an Uber driver who came to deliver a waybill for me. I am deeply sorry for my actions and acknowledge that they were unacceptable and unbecoming of a public official. As a public servant, I recognize the trust placed in me by my constituents and the Nigerian people. My behaviour fell short of the standards expected of me, and for that, I am truly sorry. I understand that my actions have caused harm and embarrassment to the driver, my constituents, and the nation at large,” he said in a statement.

He also said he was seeking professional assistance and would cooperate with the police as they investigated the matter.

But, many felt that the apology was halfhearted.

Read also: Alex Ikwechegh to be arraigned in Abuja court as Bolt promises to compensate assaulted driver

House of Representatives Ruling on Alex Ikwechegh


Meanwhile, the Federal House of Representatives has referred Alex Ikwechegh to its Ethics and Privileges Committee, for further legislative action. The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion of privilege moved by the House Leader, Prof Julius Ihonvbere during Tuesday’s plenary session.

The house leader, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, notified the House that Ikwechegh’s actions brought ridicule to the Green Chamber. He also added that Ikwechegh must face the consequences of his assault actions against the Uber driver.

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Nigeria’s House of Representatives

Although Ikwechegh apologized to his colleagues on the floor by saying, “I’m sorry,” he was referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the plenary session in the absence of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.

“We are guided by our rules. Our rule is that if the dignity of the parliament is ridiculed, we investigate through the eyes of justice. It is not good for us to judge. Ikwechegh’s appeal was very emotional, touching, and remorseful. But that is not enough. Our rules must be complied with.

He will go and sit with the Ethics and Privileges Committee for him to be heard,” Kalu ruled.

Also Read: Alex Ikwechegh: Bolt says it will assist driver assaulted by Abia Rep as police gets involved

The post Assault on bolt driver: Lawmaker, Alex Ikwechegh gets N500,000 bail first appeared on Technext.
 
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