The police said the assaulted e-hailing App driver reported the incident at the Maitama Divisional Headquarters in the nation’s capital.
By Capital Watch Media
The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has taken over an assault incident which involved a Bolt driver Stephen Abuwatseya and a federal lawmaker Alex Mascot Ikwechegh.
The police said the assaulted e-hailing App driver reported the incident at the Maitama Divisional Headquarters in the nation’s capital.
The police also warned Nigerians including the lawmaker against using the name of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to intimidate other citizens.
In a Monday post on X, the Force said, “The Nigeria Police Force is aware of the incident between a Bolt driver, Mr. Stephen Abuwatseya, and Hon. Alexander Ikwegh, which took place on October 27, 2024, in Maitama, Abuja.
“The FCT Command is actively handling the case following Mr. Abuwatseya’s official report at the Maitama Divisional Headquarters.
The Police Force also urges the public to refrain from using the name or office of the Inspector-General of Police to intimidate others, as such actions undermine the values of impartiality that the IGP’s office upholds.”
A viral video captured Ikwechegh, a member of the House of Representatives, slapping the Bolt driver.
The lawmaker represents Aba North & South Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Going by the conversation recorded in the viral video, the lawmaker had ordered some snails from a vendor who engaged the services of the e-hailing App driver to deliver the goods.
A heated disagreement ensued when the Bolt driver arrived at the lawmaker’s residence and asked to be paid. The lawmaker accused the Bolt driver of disrespecting him and thudded two slaps on the cheeks of the driver who maintained his composure in the face of the assault.
When alerted that the episode was recorded, the lawmaker told the driver: “My name is Honourable Alexander Mascot Ikwechegh, I am a member of the House of Reps, tell them. Call the Inspector General of Police, let him come.”
Ikwechegh and the House of Representatives have not released a statement on the incident but many Nigerians online have demanded that justice be served in the matter.
The Nigerian incident followed a similar one in the United Kingdom when a lawmaker Mike Amesbury was captured in footage appearing to show him punching a man to the ground and then continuing to attack him.
It appeared to show the 55-year-old MP, who represents a parliamentary seat in northwest England, repeatedly hitting another man as others nearby shouted: “Stop it”.
Britain’s ruling Labour Party immediately suspended the lawmaker “pending an investigation”.
