Assault on Bolt Driver: Reps Member Alex Ikwechegh arraigned, granted N500,000 bail

Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, a member of the House of Representatives representing the Aba North and South federal constituency of Abia State, was arraigned before an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court at Kuje on Wednesday for allegedly assaulting a Bolt driver at his residence.

Ikwechegh pleaded not guilty to the charges filed by the Nigerian Police Force, which include abuse of office, assault, and threat to life.

Following his plea, the prosecution counsel, Mr. A. Umar, requested a date for a full hearing on the matter.

In response, Ikwechegh’s counsel sought bail for the lawmaker, arguing that the charges are bailable and that his client is entitled to the presumption of innocence as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution.

Magistrate Abubakar Umar Sai’id granted the request, setting bail at N500,000 with two sureties of the same amount, who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and provide utility bills as proof of residence.

The court subsequently adjourned the trial until November 8.

The incident gained significant attention after a video surfaced showing Ikwechegh slapping the Bolt driver, Stephen Abuwatseya, multiple times.

In the video, he was heard making threatening remarks, asserting that he could make the driver “disappear without a trace.”

Following public backlash, Ikwechegh issued a public apology for his actions. Among those present in court were Deji Adeyanju, the counsel representing Abuwatseya, who is the nominal complainant in the case.