Nigeria
Police Detain Abia Legislator for Alleged Bolt Driver Assault
Police have detained an Abia legislator following accusations of assaulting a Bolt driver. The incident raises concerns over lawmakers’ conduct.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has taken into custody Hon. Alexander Ikwechegh, a House of Representatives member for Aba North and South Federal Constituency in Abia State. He faces allegations of assaulting Bolt driver Mr. Stephen Abuwatseya and making derogatory comments about the Inspector General of Police’s office.
The arrest occurred after a report about the incident was filed at the Maitama Divisional Headquarters.
SP Josephine Adeh, the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, stated that as soon as they received the complaint, they promptly acted on it, resulting in Hon. Ikwechegh’s detention.
Initial investigations suggest that Mr. Abuwatseya was delivering a package to Hon. Ikwegh when a disagreement occurred over the delivery method. During this dispute, it is reported that Mr. Abuwatseya was physically assaulted.
The FCT Police Command is deeply concerned about Hon. Ikwegh’s dismissive attitude towards the Inspector General of Police’s office in response to the incident.
After allegedly slapping the victim, he is said to have contemptuously remarked, “You can go ahead and call the Inspector General of Police,” showing a concerning disregard for law enforcement authority.
“The suspect is presently being questioned at the Maitama Police Station,” stated the FCT police spokesperson.
She mentioned that FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the matter. He also assured that the Command is dedicated to carrying out an unbiased inquiry and delivering justice in all cases.
The police stated that suitable legal measures will be implemented once the investigation is concluded.
Meanwhile, social media critic Martin Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, clarified that the Abia State legislator accused of assaulting a Bolt driver is not a Senator and does not have immunity.
In a video he recorded with the driver and posted on his Instagram page on Monday, VeryDarkMan made this statement.
“This is the Bolt driver who was assaulted by a man falsely claiming to be a senator. I just discovered that this man isn’t actually a senator and does not have any immunity,” said VeryDarkMan.
According to OBASANJONEWS, Ikwechegh was caught on camera slapping a Bolt driver and threatening to make him “disappear” during an altercation at his residence in Abuja on Sunday.
The driver revealed that the confrontation started when he requested Ikwechegh to collect the item sent to him and pay for its delivery.
In the video posted by VeryDarkMan on Monday, the Bolt driver recounted his experience of being arrested and taken to Maitama Police Station, where he was not permitted to receive calls.
He mentioned that the police officers at the station accused him of intending to confront a “senator” in his residence. Additionally, he noted that the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) from the division left to have a phone conversation with Ikwechegh.
He mentioned that the IPO who visited Ikwechegh’s residence to interview the lawmaker came back and began questioning him about making video recordings at the lawmaker’s home.
The driver also recalled that Ikwechegh later went to the police station and began insulting him.
According to the driver, the Abia State lawmaker referred to him as merely a Bolt driver and a poor man who was proud: “You are just a common Bolt driver, you’re poor but still carry yourself with pride.”
He additionally disclosed that he was released on Monday, but his car remained in police custody while Ikwechegh, who had assaulted him, continued to walk free.
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