A Magistrate Court in Kuje, Federal Capital Territory, has adjourned proceedings to Friday, November 8, to commence hearings on the allegations leveled against Alexander Ikwechegh, a member of the House of Representatives representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency of Abia State.
This decision follows the court's ruling on Wednesday to grant Ikwechegh bail, set at N500,000, after he was arraigned on charges including assault, abuse of office, and threat to life.
The lawmaker appeared before His Worship, Abubakar Umar Sai’id, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, is pursuing the case against Ikwechegh, with allegations stemming from an incident involving the assault of a Bolt driver, Stephen Abuwatseya, at the lawmaker’s residence in Abuja.
After entering his plea, Ikwechegh’s defense counsel presented an oral application for bail, which was granted under specific conditions.
“The court will grant the defendant a bail set at N500,000, with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and provide utility bills as proof of residence,” Magistrate Sai’id stated.
The court subsequently scheduled the next hearing for November 8, where the charges are expected to be fully examined.
The case gained significant public attention after a video allegedly capturing Ikwechegh assaulting the driver surfaced on social media on Monday. The footage reportedly shows the lawmaker repeatedly slapping Abuwatseya and issuing verbal threats, with remarks implying his capacity to make the driver "disappear without a trace." The video has since fueled public outrage and calls for accountability.
In response to the incident, the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), a civil society organization, released a statement condemning Ikwechegh’s actions.
RULAAC’s Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, described the alleged assault as “a glaring example of abuse of power,” common among political figures. "The recent incident involving a federal lawmaker, Alex Ikwechegh's brutal treatment of Bolt driver, Mr. Stephen Abuwatseya, is a glaring example of the abuse of power that permeates Nigeria’s political landscape. Ikwechegh’s actions, including verbal and physical assault, as well as intimidation of the victim, reveal a profound lack of humility and respect for the rights of others that should be expected from someone in a public office,” Nwanguma stated.
The statement further emphasized the societal repercussions of such actions, noting how they erode public trust in governance and law enforcement. Nwanguma expressed concerns that "the indiscriminate use of power to silence and control vulnerable citizens showcases a troubling trend among officials who seem to operate above the law."
He urged that "this case must serve as a catalyst for change, leading to reforms that prioritize respect for human rights and the rule of law in Nigeria."
