By Cajetan Mmuta
Transparency group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has condemned the alleged assault on a Bolt driver by a member of the House of Representatives from Abia State, Alex Ikwechegh
In a shocking video circulating online, a man alleged to be Ikwechegh is seen berating and threatening a Bolt driver in Abuja.
The video has sparked widespread condemnation on social media, with many calling for accountability and a review of officials’ conduct.
The video captures a heated exchange between the lawmaker and the Bolt driver, who had driven to Ikwechegh’s residence to deliver a service. “Do you know where you are? Do you know who I am?”
Ikwechegh is heard saying, with the driver responding, “I don’t want to know, just pay me, and let me go.”
As the exchange escalated, the driver asserted his right to be paid, stating, “I did a job for you, and you have to pay me, sir.”
In response, the lawmaker reportedly refused payment, accusing the driver of “great disrespect” and allegedly calling him “very, very stupid.”
Ikwechegh also made an alarming threat, reportedly saying, “I can make this man disappear in the whole of Nigeria and nothing would happen.”
However, reacting to his action on Monday, SERAP, in a tweet, called the Nigeria Police Force and the Speaker of the House of Representative to probe the alleged assault.
The tweet reads: “The Nigeria police and Speaker, House of Reps must immediately investigate reports that Mr Alex Ikwechegh, a lawmaker, brutally assaulted a Bolt driver, and ensure accountability and justice for the violations.
‘’Impunity for violations of citizens’ rights MUST STOP”.
In another development, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has condemned the alleged misconduct and assault by a member of the House of Representatives, Alex Ikwechegh, on a Bolt driver.
National Publicity Secretary of the party, Ejimofor Opara, in a statement yesterday, described as unacceptable the misconduct of Ikwechegh, adding that the party is built on the foundation of human rights.
A video which had trended on social media showed the APGA lawmaker allegedly assaulting the Bolt driver for asking him to come himself to take delivery of a parcel meant for him.
According to the statement by APGA’s National Publicity Secretary, “The attention of our great party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) 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, Hon Alex Ikwechegh.”
It said that, “As a political party founded on respect for Human Rights, we roundly condemn the action of our said member and Federal Parliamentarian, Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency, on the platform of our great party.”
Mazi Opara said, “As a party, we are founded on the basic principles of upholding the dignity of all humans irrespective of class, creed and/or ethnicity.
‘’The recent video allegedly showing Hon. Ikwechegh assaulting a cab driver is totally unacceptable and runs counter to what our party — APGA– represents.
He added, “In line with APGA’s constitution, the leadership of the party shall set up a disciplinary committee to investigate the act, and if found wanting, appropriate sanctions shall be meted on him in line with the Constitution of APGA.
“All members of APGA and indeed all elected officials on the platform of our great party are expected to exhibit the highest standards of decorum, civility and integrity in all public and private engagements and our party shall not tolerate any verifiable conduct that is not in tandem with the ideals of our founding fathers.
‘’In APGA, we are our Brothers’ and Sisters’ keepers, and it cannot be any other way,” the statement added.
SERAP’s response came in the wake of the arrest,, by theFCT Police Command of the errant lawmaker for assaulting the driver and making a derogatory comment on the office of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
A statement yesterday by the spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, said the command received a report at the Maitama Divisional Headquarters regarding an incident involving Abuwatseya and Ikwechegh.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that Mr. Abuwatseya was delivering a package to Hon. Ikwechegh when a dispute arose concerning the method of delivery.
‘’During this altercation, Mr. Abuwatseya was reportedly physically assaulted.’’
The statement added, ‘’The FCT Police Command expresses grave concern over Hon. Ikwechegh’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.’’
The police spokeswoman also stated, “Currently, the suspect is at the Maitama Police Station undergoing questioning.”
She added that the FCT Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, had mandated a thorough investigation into the matter, while assuring of the command’s commitment to conducting an impartial investigation and ensuring justice in all cases.
The police said appropriate legal action would be taken upon completion of the investigation.
Meanwhile, Stephen Abuwatseye, the Bolt driver allegedly assaulted by Ikwechegh, has shared his harrowing experience.
In a conversation with social media personality, Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, Abuwatseye revealed that Ikwechegh threatened to pay N50 million to individuals to kill him.
He explained that this threat prompted him to record the incident.
Abuwatseye also mentioned that he is unwell, noting that the lawmaker hit him several times on the chest.
Parts of his statement:
“You Common Bolt Driver. You Are a Poor Man. You Have Pride in Your Poverty. Do You Know Who I Am?”, Alexander Ikwechegh told me.
“I said, ‘So the problem you have now is that a poor man should not speak. I am a Nigerian and should not be treated as a foreigner in this country.
‘’I am from Delta State, and I cannot have you treat me like a foreigner in my own country.
“The honorable member was not detained when he came to the station. He was calling me names. I was mute and sat at an edge. My car is still at the station.
“I brought snails for him. When I got to his estate gate, I called him and told him I was at the gate.
‘’He asked me to give the phone to the security personnel, who later directed me to his house.
‘’When I arrived at his house, I saw a man seated close to where I parked my car.
“When I got out, I greeted him twice, but he didn’t respond. So I thought he wasn’t the one. The next thing I did was call the number on my phone, and his phone rang.
“What I heard was, ‘Are you stupid? Are you mad? Are you a fool? Bring my stuff for me!’ I was not happy with the way he spoke to me because I was just doing my professional job.
‘’So I told him, ‘Oga, this thing you are saying to me—we have not gotten to this. Normally, I am not even supposed to bring this to you.
‘’You are supposed to come and pick it up yourself.’ That was the only thing that got him angry.
“So he replied, ‘You are asking me to come to your car to pick up my stuff? Are you okay? Do you know whom you are talking to?’
‘’He hit me on my chest several times. I am not feeling well. He hit me on my chest repeatedly while I just looked at him.
‘’But when he became more of a threat to me, I had to record him because I didn’t go there with the intention of fighting him.
‘’If I had gone there with a different motive, I would have recorded him from the beginning.
“I started recording him when he became a threat and said he would pay fifty million naira, and they would ‘delete’ me. He was calling me all sorts of names.
‘’He claimed he would pay 50 million naira to people, and they would kill me, and nobody would say anything.
‘’When I noticed that this situation was escalating beyond what I ever expected, I quickly took out my phone and started recording.”