A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh was on Wednesday granted bail after he appeared before a Chief Magistrate Court in Kuje, Abuja facing charges for allegedly assaulting a bolt driver at his residence in Abuja.
Ikwechegh, who represents the Aba North and South federal constituency in Abia State, pleaded not guilty to the allegations outlined in a First Information Report filed against him by the Nigerian Police Force. The charges include abuse of office, assault, and threats to life.
Following Ikwechegh’s plea of innocence, prosecution counsel Mr. A. Umar requested a date for a full hearing on the case. In response, Ikwechegh’s lawyer made an oral application for bail while the case is pending. The defense argued that the charges are bailable offenses and that Ikwechegh has the right to be presumed innocent under the amended 1999 Constitution.
Magistrate Abubakar Umar Sai’id indicated he was inclined to grant the bail request. He subsequently approved bail for Ikwechegh in the amount of N500,000, requiring two sureties to sign on his behalf. The court emphasized that these sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and provide utility bills as proof of their residence.
The case was adjourned to November 8 for trial.
The incident gained significant attention after a video surfaced on social media showing Ikwechegh slapping a bolt driver named Stephen Abuwatseya multiple times. Upset by what he perceived as the driver’s rude behavior, the lawmaker was recorded saying that he could make the driver “disappear without a trace” and that there would be no consequences for his actions.
Following public outrage over his behavior and statements, Ikwechegh later issued a public apology for his conduct. Among those present in court on Wednesday was Mr. Deji Adeyanju, the lawyer representing the bolt driver, who is the complainant in the case.
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