By Ayomide Otitoju
A Kuje Magistrate Court has granted bail to Alex Ikwechegh, a House of Representatives member for Aba North and South, setting bail at ₦500,000 with two sureties. The presiding judge, Abubakar Sai’id, specified that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and provide utility bills for verification.
Ikwechegh faces charges of abuse of office, assault, and threat to life after allegedly assaulting a Bolt driver, Stephen Abuwatseya, in Abuja. An oral bail application by Ikwechegh’s counsel was granted by the court.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police detained Ikwechegh on Monday at Maitama Police Station following the incident, which was captured in a now-viral video. In the video, Ikwechegh is seen slapping Abuwatseya, who had delivered a snail order to the lawmaker’s residence.
A heated argument arose when Abuwatseya requested payment upon arrival, leading Ikwechegh to threaten, “I can make this man disappear in the whole of Nigeria.” Following the altercation, Ikwechegh was seen delivering two slaps to the driver, challenging him to “slap back.”
In response to public backlash, the House of Representatives has urged Nigerians to await the outcome of a police investigation. Social media reactions have called for justice, with many decrying the lawmaker’s conduct.
Ikwechegh, who represents Aba North and South under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), now awaits further legal proceedings.
