‘I’ll make you disappear threat’: Rep Alex Ikwechegh detained over alleged assault on bolt driver
Hon. Alexander Mascot Ikwechegh , the representative for Aba North and South Federal Constituency, Abia State is currently at the Maitama Police Station, where he is undergoing questioning.
This is following a recent incident involving him and a bolt driver, on October 27, 2024, at a residence on Zamfara Crescent in the Maitama area of Abuja.
FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu, has ordered a comprehensive investigation to ensure an impartial process and reaffirm the Command’s commitment to justice. Following the investigation, any necessary legal actions will be pursued.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has launched an investigation into an alleged assault involving a Bolt driver, Mr. Stephen Abuwatseya, and Hon. Alexander Ikwegh, the representative for Aba North and South Federal Constituency, Abia State.
According to preliminary reports from the Maitama Divisional Headquarters, the altercation began when Mr. Abuwatseya arrived at Hon. Ikwegh’s residence to deliver a package. A disagreement allegedly arose regarding the delivery method, during which Mr. Abuwatseya claims he was physically assaulted by the lawmaker.
The FCT Police Command expressed particular concern over Hon. Ikwegh’s response following the altercation. According to Mr. Abuwatseya, the lawmaker, after allegedly slapping him, dismissed the possibility of repercussions by stating, “You can go ahead and call the Inspector General of Police.” This statement has been interpreted by authorities as displaying a concerning disregard for law enforcement.
SP Josephine Adeh, spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, stated, “The Command remains dedicated to conducting an impartial investigation and ensuring justice for all involved.”
It would be recalled that been caught on camera assaulting an Uber driver during a delivery at his residence in Maitama, Abuja.
Ikwechegh is representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) at the lower chamber.
The incident allegedly occurred when the driver, who had made a delivery to Ikwechegh’s residence, refused to bring the delivered items, reported to be snails, into the house and instead asked the lawmaker to collect them himself.
Ikwechegh who represents Aba North and South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, was seen in a viral video assaulting and threatening to make a Bolt driver “disappear”.
The video showed the lawmaker dealing repeated slaps to the Bolt driver for who he deemed to have insulted him, telling to come get the snail he was delivering to him.
The APGA lawmaker was heard saying: “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.
“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 I slapped you. Call the Inspector General of Police that I slapped you, let him come. Record me very well.”
However, reacting to the seemingly open threat, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, on Monday, revealed that it would set up a disciplinary committee to investigate and possibly sanction Alex Ikwechegh who is a member of the party for allegedly assaulting the poor Bolt driver.
The party in its reaction as contained in a press statement and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, on Monday, vehemently condemned the action.
The statement said: “The attention of our great party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance 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, Alex Ikwechegh.
“As a political party founded on respect for Human Rights, we roundly condemn the action of our said member and Federal Parliamentarian, Alex Ikwechegh, representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency, on the platform of our great Party.
“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 Ikwechegh assaulting a cab driver is totally unacceptable and runs counter to what our Party – APGA – represents.
“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.”
Adding, the statement said, “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 Brother’s and Sister’s keeper and it cannot be any other way.”
