Wednesday

A member of the Nigerian Federal House of Representatives, Alex Ikwechegh, is set to be arraigned at an Abuja magistrate court on Wednesday for assaulting a <a href="http://bolt.eu" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bolt</a> driver. This was confirmed in a statement by Deji Adeyanju, the lawyer representing the assaulted driver, Stephen Abuwatseya. 
“We are on our way to Kuje Magistrate Court for the arraignment of the honourable member who assaulted our client, Mr. Steven, a Bolt driver. The IGP’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU) is in charge of the investigation and prosecution. The media is invited to cover the arraignment, which is scheduled for 12 pm today at Kuje Magistrate,” the activist lawyer said in the statement. 
Recall that in a now-viral video, Alex Ikwechegh, the member representing Aba North and South federal constituency, could be seen visibly angry at the driver at his Maitama residence. Referring to the driver as a rat and a monkey, he threatened to make the man disappear and “nothing will happen.” 
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 <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="450" src="https://technext24.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/House-of-Reps-Alex-Ikwechegh-750x536-1.jpg" alt="Alex Ikwechegh's assualt on driver: Bolt says it is taking steps to assist driver as police gets involved" class="wp-image-238370">
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When the driver demanded payment for his services, the legislator threatened to beat him up like a little brother before locking him up in a generator house. With that, he proceeded to slap the driver twice with a promise to deliver a third slap soon enough. 
“Are you even looking at me that you can beat me? Who the hell do you think that you are talking to? Do you know who I am? I am a Senator of this republic. Do you know who the f**k I am? How dare you? You are not leaving this place o. You see this place? You will suffer. I will deal with you. I am Alex Ikwechegh, a member of the House of Representatives. Call the Inspector General of Police, call him let him come,” Alex Ikwechegh could be heard yelling at the driver. 
<h4 id="alex-ikwechegh-apologises-amid-backlash" class="wp-block-heading">Alex Ikwechegh apologises amid backlash</h4> 
Following a torrent of backlashes, Alex Ikwechegh apologised for his actions on Monday, saying it was below the standard expected of a federal lawmaker. He admitted his actions were an embarrassment to the government institution he represents and to the country at large. 
“A video has surfaced showing me engaging in unacceptable behaviour towards an Uber driver who came to deliver a waybill for me. I am deeply sorry for my actions and acknowledge that they were unacceptable and unbecoming of a public official. As a public servant, I recognize the trust placed in me by my constituents and the Nigerian people. My behaviour fell short of the standards expected of me, and for that, I am truly sorry. I understand that my actions have caused harm and embarrassment to the driver, my constituents, and the nation at large,” he said in a statement. 
He also said he was seeking professional assistance and would cooperate with the police as it carries out its investigation into the matter. 
Similarly, Alex Ikwechegh’s party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has condemned his actions. In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, the party expressed its commitment to human rights and said it would investigate and punish the lawmaker’s conduct. 
“The attention of our great party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, has been drawn to a viral video of alleged assault meted out to a citizen by the Honourable member representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency, Alex Ikwechegh. As a political party founded on respect for human rights, we roundly condemn the action of our said member,” the APGA said. 
The party emphasized that it does not condone any action that undermines human dignity, insisting that APGA members believe in being their brother’s and sister’s keeper, and it cannot be any other way. The party then said it would establish a disciplinary committee to investigate the incident while assuring that “appropriate sanctions shall be meted out if he is found wanting.” 
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 <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="450" src="https://technext24.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image-32.png" alt="Bolt opens driver engagement centre in South Africa amid increasing driver agitation" class="wp-image-236543">
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In another development, Bolt, the online taxi-hailing platform where the driver was operating at the time of the incident said it would compensate the driver and make sure that he is “comfortable”. The company disclosed this in a statement sent to Technext following an inquiry into the matter. 
“Our General Manager, Osi Oguah, has reached out to the driver to express our support and convey our dedication to support the driver in addressing the incident appropriately. Our safety team is also working with the driver to provide appropriate compensation and comfort. We will continue to monitor and address this matter diligently and remain steadfast in our commitment to the safety and well-being of drivers and passengers across our platform,” the company said. 
See also: <a href="https://technext24.com/2024/10/28/alex-ikwechegh-assualt-bolt-driver-case/">Alex Ikwechegh: Bolt says it will assist driver assaulted by Abia Rep as police gets involved</a>
The post <a href="https://technext24.com/2024/10/30/alex-ikwechegh-arraigned-in-abuja-court/">Alex Ikwechegh to be arraigned in Abuja court as Bolt promises to compensate assaulted driver</a> first appeared on <a href="https://technext24.com">Technext</a>.

Alex Ikwechegh to be arraigned in Abuja court as Bolt promises to compensate assaulted driver

Technext.ng

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