Stephen Abuwatseya, an e-hailing driver, has lodged a formal complaint with the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, accusing a member of the House of Representatives, Alex Ikwechegh, of assault and other serious offenses. The complaint follows a viral video that surfaced on social media, showing the Abia lawmaker allegedly assaulting the driver after a disagreement over a delivery request.
In the video, Ikwechegh, who represents Aba North and South Federal Constituency, is seen verbally and physically confronting Abuwatseya. The incident reportedly occurred when the driver asked the lawmaker to step outside his residence to collect a snail delivery. The request appeared to anger the lawmaker, who insisted that such a request was disrespectful, given his social status. The confrontation escalated, with Ikwechegh allegedly slapping the driver multiple times and threatening to make him “disappear” without facing any repercussions.
As the video circulated online, it drew widespread attention and sparked outrage among Nigerians. The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed its awareness of the incident. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has since invited the lawmaker for questioning regarding the allegations.
In a petition dated October 28, Abuwatseya, represented by lawyer Marvin Omorogbe of the Deji Adeyanju & Partners law firm, accused Ikwechegh of grievous assault, abuse of power, attempted murder, and issuing threats to his life. The petition emphasized the severity of the situation, calling for a thorough investigation and possible prosecution of the lawmaker.
The petition reads in part: “Our client is a Bolt driver and a hard-working Nigerian citizen. It is our client’s information that at about 9 pm on October 27, 2024, he was contracted by a vendor to deliver some food to Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh at his residence in Maitama, Abuja.”
The disagreement arose when Abuwatseya adhered to company policies by refusing to deliver the food directly into the lawmaker’s residence, asking instead that someone be sent to collect the item at the gate. This, according to Abuwatseya’s lawyer, aligns with the customary practice for delivery services in the Federal Capital Territory. Abuwatseya’s refusal reportedly angered Ikwechegh, who then resorted to physical assault and threats.
“Regrettably, upon getting to Hon. Ikwechegh’s residence, he requested that our client bring the food into his premises, contrary to the laid down policies regulating Bolt drivers… Our client politely refused the request and urged Hon. Ikwechegh to send someone to pick up the food outside the gate,” the petition stated.
Abuwatseya claims that during the altercation, Ikwechegh tore his clothes and repeatedly threatened him.
“He [Ikwechegh] threatened to make him ‘disappear’ from Nigeria and repeatedly dared our client to call the Inspector General of Police, while threatening that nothing will happen to him,” the petition further reads.
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The driver also accused the lawmaker of using his influence to have him detained at the Maitama Police Station, where his car was reportedly impounded. The petition includes a video recording of the incident as evidence to support the allegations.
Abuwatseya’s lawyer emphasized the seriousness of the case, highlighting Ikwechegh’s role as a serving member of the House of Representatives whose duties include ensuring the safety and well-being of Nigerians.
“As a serving member of the Federal House of Representatives, whose primary duties include making laws for the safety of Nigerians, we find Hon. Ikwechegh’s actions were totally distasteful and a threat to our client’s safety,” the lawyer stated.
The lawyer expressed particular concern about the lawmaker’s threats, noting the increasing trend of enforced disappearances in Nigeria.
“At a time when several Nigerians are increasingly being subjected to enforced disappearance by state and non-state actors, we particularly find Hon. Ikwechegh’s threat to cause our client’s disappearance as a national issue that deserves immediate investigation,” he added.
The petition concludes with a call for the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the incident thoroughly and ensure that justice is served. “It is in the light of the foregoing that we kindly request that you investigate the issues raised in this petition with a view to prosecuting Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh,” the letter reads.