Minority Leader of the Lower Chamber, Kingsley Chinda, says his colleague, Alex Ikwechegh, may face “double tragedy” for assaulting a bolt driver Stephen Abuwatseya in the nation’s capital Abuja late October.
“Presently, he is being prosecuted. He is at the Magistrate Court. The House has also sent him to the disciplinary committee on the same issue,” Chinda said on a televised show.
“Perhaps, he might suffer double jeopardy if he is undergoing prosecution and disciplined in the House.”
Chinda said he has spoken with his colleague, and he has shown regret and apologized to Nigerians.
“But in essence, I don’t think anybody will agree that that is a standard for parliamentarians. They call us honourable members, so we should be honourable within and outside the parliament. And people should look up to us. Public office holders are like pastors and Imams and people should look up to you in character and conduct,” he said.
Nigerians were vexed in late October when a video of Ikwechegh assaulting the bolt driver in Abuja. The lawmaker had ordered a few snails from a vendor, who engaged the services of the bolt driver to convey the goods. A heated argument followed when the driver showed up at the lawmaker’s home and asked to be paid.
Ikwechegh represents Aba North and South Federal Constituency in the Lower Chamber on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
An irate Ikwechegh was heard speaking with the vendor on the phone in the presence of the driver. “How can this stupid idiot come to me and tell me that I am supposed to come and meet him in his car and pick up a snail I am buying from you? I can make this man disappear in the whole of Nigeria and nothing will happen.” the lawmaker shouted to the speaker on the other side.
After the telephone conversation with the snail vendor, Ikwechegh confronted Abuwatseya and landed two slaps on the cheeks of the driver, who kept his cool in the face of the assault.
Numerous Nigerians had called for justice, with the police apprehending and prosecuting the lawmaker, who has since offered a public apology to the bolt driver and Nigerians.
Last week, a Kuje Magistrates’ Court conceded bail to Ikwechegh for ₦500,000 after he was summoned on three counts of abuse of office, assault, and threat to life, to which he pleaded not guilty.
Magistrate Abubakar Umar Sai’id has adjourned the case to November 8 for a hearing.
