The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command confirmed the arrest of an Abia State lawmaker, Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, for allegedly assaulting a Bolt driver. The police statement, issued by spokesperson Josephine Adeh, reveals that Ikwechegh is currently under interrogation at Maitama Police Station.
The altercation reportedly began when Bolt driver Stephen Abuwatseya, was delivering a package to Ikwechegh. According to the police, “Preliminary investigations indicate that Mr. Abuwatseya was delivering a package to Hon. Ikwechegh when a dispute arose concerning the method of delivery. During this altercation, Mr. Abuwatseya was reportedly physically assaulted.”
Further highlighting the lawmaker’s dismissive attitude, police cited a troubling statement attributed to Ikwechegh. After allegedly slapping Abuwatseya, Ikwechegh reportedly remarked, “You can go ahead and call the Inspector General of Police.”
This comment, perceived as undermining the authority of law enforcement, has intensified public outcry. Olatunji Disu, Commissioner of Police in the FCT, mandated a comprehensive investigation to ensure accountability.
“The Command is committed to conducting an impartial investigation and ensuring justice in all cases. Upon completion of the investigation, appropriate legal action will be taken,” the statement assured.
The incident mirrors a recent assault case involving British Labour MP Mike Amesbury, who was suspended after being recorded allegedly assaulting a man. The similarity has drawn attention to growing concerns over officials’ conduct both locally and abroad.
In a conversation with social media personality Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, Abuwatseye revealed that Ikwechegh threatened to pay fifty million Naira to individuals to kill him.
He explained that this threat prompted him to record the incident. Abuwatseye also mentioned that he is unwell, noting that the lawmaker hit him several times on the chest.
Parts of his statement:
“You Common Bolt Driver. You Are a Poor Man. You Have Pride in Your Poverty. Do You Know Who I Am?”, Alexander Ikwechegh told me.
Victim’s Account:
“I said, ‘So the problem you have now is that a poor man should not speak. I am a Nigerian and should not be treated as a foreigner in this country. I am from Delta State, and I cannot have you treat me like a foreigner in my own country.
“The honorable member was not detained when he came to the station. He was calling me names. I was mute and sat at an edge. My car is still at the station.
“I brought snails for him. When I got to his estate gate, I called him and told him I was at the gate. He asked me to give the phone to the security personnel, who later directed me to his house. When I arrived at his house, I saw a man seated close to where I parked my car.
When I got out, I greeted him twice, but he didn’t respond. So I thought he wasn’t the one. The next thing I did was call the number on my phone, and his phone rang.
“What I heard was, ‘Are you stupid? Are you mad? Are you a fool? Bring my stuff for me!’ I was not happy with the way he spoke to me because I was just doing my professional job. So I told him, ‘Oga, this thing you are saying to me—we have not gotten to this. Normally, I am not even supposed to bring this to you. You are supposed to come and pick it up yourself.’ That was the only thing that got him angry.
“So he replied, ‘You are asking me to come to your car to pick my stuff? Are you okay? Do you know whom you are talking to?’ He hit me on my chest several times. I am not feeling well. He hit me on my chest repeatedly while I just looked at him. But when he became more of a threat to me, I had to record him because I didn’t go there with the intention of fighting him. If I had gone there with a different motive, I would have recorded him from the beginning.
“I started recording him when he became a threat and said he would pay fifty million naira, and they would ‘delete’ me. He was calling me all sorts of names. He claimed he would pay 50 million naira to people, and they would kill me, and nobody would say anything. When I noticed that this situation was escalating beyond what I ever expected, I quickly took out my phone and started recording.”
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