The lawmaker representing Abia North/South in the house of representatives, Mr Alexander Ikwechegh, was on Wednesday, docked before an Abuja Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Kuje for allegedly assaulting a bolt driver at his Abuja residence.
Vanguard reported that Ikwechegh pleaded not guilty to a first information report that the Nigeria Police Force pressed against him.
He is charged with abuse of office, assault, and threat to life.
Following the defendant’s plea of innocence, the prosecution counsel, Mr. A. Umar, applied for a date for hearing to commence in the matter.
However, counsel to the defendant made an oral application for his release on bail, pending the determination of the case.
The defendant contended that the charge against him contained bailable offences, adding that his right to presumption of innocence was guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
In his ruling, Magistrate Abubakar Umar Sai’id held that he was minded to accede to the defendant’s application for bail.
Consequently, he granted the lawmaker bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
The court stressed that the sureties must not only reside within its jurisdiction but also provide their utility bills as proof of residence.
It subsequently adjourned the matter to November 8 for trial.
Recall that Ikwechegh was seen in a video clip that went viral on the social media platforms, repeatedly slapping a Bolt driver identified as Stephen Abuwatseya
Irked by what he described as the driver’s rude behaviour towards him, the Abia lawmaker boasted that he could make him disappear without trace and nothing would happen.
However, following a widespread condemnation that trailed his action and utterances, the lawmaker tendered a public apology for his conduct.
