ABUJA, Nigeria – A driver with e-hailing service Bolt – who was recently assaulted by a lawmaker in Nigeria filed a case against the politician.
Stephen Abuwatseya filed charges against Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, a member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives from the eastern state of Abia.
Abuwatseya’s attorney, Deji Adeyanju, confirmed the court appearance on Wednesday, stating, “We are on our way to Kuje Magistrate Court for the arraignment of the honourable member who assaulted our client, Mr. Stephen, a Bolt driver.”
Adeyanju also extended an invitation to the media to cover the arraignment scheduled for 12pm today at the Kuje Magistrate Court in the country’s capital Abuja.
The court however, granted Ikwechegh bail in the sum of ₦500,000.
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 the 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.
The Nigeria Police Force said it had commenced an “impartial” investigation into the matter of the power-drunk lawmaker for allegedly assaulting and brutalising the driver on Sunday during the incident that happened at his residence in Maitama, Abuja.
Ikwechegh, who represents Aba North and South Federal Constituency of Abia State, repeatedly slapped Abuwatseya and hurled insults at him for asking him to come to his car to collect what he (the driver) was there to deliver.
The lawless lawmaker also threatened to make the driver disappear from Nigeria, saying nothing would happen if he did, even if the driver called on the Inspector-General of Police.
He refused to pay the driver and boasted that he is a member of the House of Representatives.
Ikwechegh also broke the driver’s phone and tore his clothes, and threatened to beat the driver and lock him in his generator house to make him suffer.
Meanwhile, in a Tuesday statement, Ikwechegh apologised after his action attracted widespread condemnation, saying he and Abuwatseya had reached a respectful resolution, which he was dedicated to keeping.
The lawmaker apologised for using the name of Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to threaten the driver. Ikwechegh also apologised to the National Assembly and the House of Representatives.
However, the police in a statement issued on Wednesday by national police spokesman ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, reaffirmed its commitment and readiness to ensure justice is served accordingly.
The statement reads in part; “In reaction to a case of assault and threat to life making the rounds in the media space by Hon. Alexander Mascot Ikwechegh, representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency in Abia State against a bolt driver, Mr. Stephen Abuwatseya, who was to deliver a package to him at a residence in Zamfara Crescent, Maitama, Abuja on the 27th October, 2024.
“The Nigeria Police Force has commenced an impartial investigation into the matter and wishes to reaffirm its commitment and readiness to ensure justice is served accordingly.”