A Kuje Magistrate Court has granted bail to Alex Ikwechegh, a House of Representatives member for Aba North and South, setting the bail at ₦500,000 with two sureties required in the same amount.
In a brief ruling, Presiding Judge Abubakar Sai’id stated that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and provide utility bills as proof of residence.
Ikwechegh faces charges of abuse of office, assault, and threat to life. He pleaded not guilty when the charges were read.
Following this, his counsel submitted an oral application for bail, which the court approved.
The case is scheduled to resume on November 8, 2024.
Ikwechegh was arraigned for allegedly assaulting an e-hailing cab driver, Stephen Abuwatseya, in Abuja. The House of Representatives has called on Nigerians to await the findings of a police investigation.
On Monday, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command detained Ikwechegh for questioning at the Maitama Police Station in connection with the incident.
In a viral video, Ikwechegh was seen slapping the Bolt driver. According to the conversation in the recording, the lawmaker had ordered snails from a vendor who used the e-hailing driver to deliver the goods.
A dispute reportedly arose when the driver, Stephen Abuwatseya, arrived at Ikwechegh’s residence and requested payment.
Ikwechegh represents the Aba North & South Federal Constituency in the House on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
A furious Ikwechegh was heard speaking with the vendor on the phone. “How can this stupid idiot come to me and tell me that I am supposed to come and meet him in his car and pick up a snail I am buying from you? I can make this man disappear in the whole of Nigeria and nothing will happen.” the lawmaker blurted to the speaker on the other side.
After the phone conversation with the snail vendor, Ikwechegh faced Abuwatseya and said, “You will not get a penny from me with this level of disrespect. You will suffer, I will deal with you.”
The APGA lawmaker fulfilled his threat and thudded two slaps on the cheeks of the driver who maintained his composure in the face of the assault.
To capture that he had been slapped, the Bolt driver asked, “Are you slapping me, sir?”
“I just did, slap me back. How dare you?” the lawmaker angrily retorted.
“Do you slap me thrice sir?”
“Twice, you will soon receive the third one.”
When alerted that the episode was recorded, the lawmaker told the driver: “My name is Honourable Alexander Mascot Ikwechegh, I am a member of the House of Reps, tell them. Call the Inspector General of Police, let him come.”
Many Nigerians online have demanded that justice be served in the matter.