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An e-hailing driver, Stephen Abuwatseya, has submitted a petition to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, against House of Representatives member Alex Ikwechegh, alleging assault.

A video that circulated on social media depicts the lawmaker verbally and physically attacking the driver after Abuwatseya suggested that Ikwechegh come out to collect the snail he was meant to deliver.

In the footage, the visibly enraged representative for Aba North and South Federal Constituency expressed that the driver’s request was disrespectful due to his social status.

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Ikwechegh further threatened to make the driver “disappear” without repercussions.

When the driver asked for the delivery fee, the politician slapped him multiple times, questioning if the driver understood who he was speaking to.

The Nigeria Police Force has acknowledged the incident, and the Federal Capital Territory Police Command has summoned the lawmaker for questioning.

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In a petition dated October 28, Abuwatseya, through his lawyer Marvin Omorogbe from Deji Adeyanju & Partners law firm, accused Ikwechegh of grievous assault, abuse of power, attempted murder, and threats to life.

He noted that not taking the food into the compound aligns with established protocols for e-hailing services and expressed disappointment at the lawmaker’s behavior.

The petition stated, “Our client is a bolt driver and a hard-working Nigerian citizen. It is our client’s information that at about 9pm 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 petition continues, “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 in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Our client politely refused the request and urged Hon. Ikwechegh to send someone to pick up the food outside the gate, as is customary with delivery services.”

In response to the driver’s refusal, the petition alleges, “Hon. Ikwechegh physically assaulted our client, tore his clothes, 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 also details how Ikwechegh allegedly caused Abuwatseya to be detained at the Maitama Police Station and had his car seized by the Investigative Police Officer.

It mentions that a video recording of the incident is attached for reference.

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Highlighting the lawmaker’s position, the petition argues, “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 letter emphasizes the seriousness of the threats made, stating, “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.”

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The petition concludes with a request: “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.”

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