A member of the House of Representatives, Alex Ikwechegh, was caught on camera assaulting an e-hailing (Bolt) driver, Stephen Abuwatseya, who had gone to deliver a package to him in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
In a viral video circulating on Monday, the lawmaker is seen slapping and verbally abusing Abuwatseya, who had the foresight to record the incident at Ikwechegh’s residence in Maitama, Abuja.
Ikwechegh, who represents Aba North and South in the House of Representatives, became aggressive when the driver requested that he come outside to collect the package intended for him.
In the video, Ikwechegh deemed the driver’s request disrespectful and responded with threats, claiming he could make the driver ‘disappear’ without any consequences.
He said, “So, you think I will give you my money with the way you have spoken to me?”
Abuwatseya replies, saying, “I did a job for you, and you have to pay me, sir”.
“You will not see a penny from me with this great level of disrespect. You’re very stupid, very, very stupid,” the lawmaker expressed.
The lawmaker then called someone, saying, “Madam, who is this stupid boy that you sent to my house? Who is this foolish boy that you sent to my house? How can this stupid idiot come to my house and tell me that I’m supposed to come and meet him in his car and pick up a snail that I’m buying from you?
“Can you imagine this rat? I can make this man disappear in the whole of Nigeria and nothing would happen. I’m not going to give this silly boy one naira of my money.”
The Bold driver said, “You’ve been insulting me sir, and I’ve been quiet,” and Ikwechegh threatened that the driver should dare to insult him back.
“I’m not going to call my policemen to beat you up. I will beat you up. I will show you that I’m a big brother to you. I will slap the hell out of you, lie you down, and lock you in my generator house. How dare you? Do you know who you’re talking to? Do you know where you are?”
Ikwechegh proceeded to slap the driver while saying, “Who the hell do you think you’re talking to.”
The Bolt driver also shared a video of himself shirtless, claiming that the lawmaker tore his shirt during the altercation.
In response, the Nigeria Police, through a statement on its X (formerly Twitter) page, confirmed awareness of the incident and assured the public that the FCT Command is actively investigating the matter.
According to the police, Abuwatseya reported the incident at the Maitama Divisional Headquarters.
The police further cautioned the public against invoking the name or office of the Inspector-General of Police to intimidate others, emphasizing that such actions compromise the core values of impartiality upheld by the IGP’s office.
The statement read: “The Nigeria Police Force is aware of the incident between a Bolt driver, Mr Stephen Abuwatseya, and Hon. Alexander Ikwegh, which took place on October 27, 2024, in Maitama, Abuja.
“The FCT Command is actively handling the case following Mr Abuwatseya’s official report at the Maitama Divisional Headquarters. The Police Force also urges the public to refrain from using the name or office of the Inspector-General of Police to intimidate others, as such actions undermine the values of impartiality that the IGP’s office upholds.
