The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command, Abuja, has invited a member representing Aba North and South of Abia State in the house of representatives, Mr Alex Ikwechegh, for allegedly assaulting an e-hailing (Bolt) driver, Mr Stephen Abuwatseya, and threatening to cause him to disappear.
Recall that the lawmaker was caught in camera as he assaulted Abuwatseya, who went to deliver a parcel to him in his (Ikwechegh’s) Maitama residence.
In the viral video, the lawmaker could be heard insulting the driver for telling him to come out and get the snail the driver was meant to deliver to him.
Ikwechegh insisted that the request was disrespectful given his social status
The lawmaker questioned the driver in succession, saying, “Do you know where you are? Do you know who I am?” The driver, in response, simply asked to be paid for his service: “I don’t want to know, just pay me and let me go.”
The exchange escalated, with the driver insisting on his right to payment, stating, “I did a job for you, and you have to pay me, sir.”
Ikwechegh who represents his constituency on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) was not yet done with the hapless driver.
He further rained down insults on him describing him as “very, “very, stupid.”
“Do you know who I am? I can make this man (driver) disappear in the whole of Nigeria and nothing will happen. Can you imagine this rat? I am not going to give this boy one naira of my money.
“I am not going to call my policemen to beat you up, I will do that myself. I will show that I am a big brother to you, tie you up, lie you down and put you in my generator house. Do you know where you are? Because you saw me sitting outside here. Look at this monkey.”
When the driver requested the delivery fee, the lawmaker rained slaps on him.
“Do you know who I am? I just slapped you and there’s nothing you will do. My name is Honourable Alex Ikwechegh; tell them (public) I slapped you. Call the Inspector General of Police that I slapped you, let him come. Record me very well,” he declared.
Reacting to the incident, the spokesperson for the FCT, Ms Josephine Adeh, said in a statement that the commissioner of police, Mr Olatunji Disu, had mandated a thorough investigation into the matter, adding that appropriate legal action will be taken upon its completion.
She also said the suspect had been taken into custody for interrogation.
The statement further said the lawmaker demonstrated “a troubling disregard for the authority of law enforcement” after allegedly slapping the victim and reportedly saying with contempt “You can go ahead and call the inspector general of police.”
The statement reads: “The FCT Police Command has received a report at the Maitama Divisional Headquarters regarding an incident involving Bolt driver Mr. Stephen Abuwatseya and Hon. Alexander Ikwechegh, who represents the Aba North and South Federal Constituency in Abia State.
“The incident occurred on October 27, 2024, at a residence on Zamfara Crescent, Maitama, Abuja.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that Mr. Abuwatseya was delivering a package to Hon. Alexander Ikwechegh when a dispute arose concerning the method of delivery.
“During this altercation, Mr. Abuwatseya was reportedly physically assaulted.
“The FCT Police Command expresses grave concern over Hon. Alexander 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.
“Currently, the suspect is at the Maitama Police Station undergoing questioning.”
