Nigeria Lawmaker representing the people of Aba North and South Federal Constituency under the political platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Alexander Mascot Ikwechegh on Tuesday stood up during the House of Representatives plenary session at the National Assembly to beg Nigerians  to forgive him after belittling the office of the Inspector General of Police, IGP and assaulting a bolt driver, Stephen Abuwatseya simply because the bolt driver expected him to leave his sitting position to come to the bolt car to receive the snails he ordered.

Ikwechegh in a video which was recorded by the Bolt Driver, explained the cause of his provocation. Saying as seen in the video that the bolt driver expected him to leave his sitting position to  come to his bolt car to receive the food items he ordered from a food vendor.

This, some Nigerians took to the personal profile of the Honourable member on X platform and found out that, on December 3, 2020, the lawmaker, Alexander Moscot Ikwechegh may have posted on his now suspended twitter account, a photograph and a caption of him standing on the main road while he was abroad, waiting for Uber driver to pick him.

His behaviour abroad with e-hailing drivers, according to the X post shows he has more respect for apps controlled drivers in other country and apparently less value and regard for the bolt driver who was seen in the video; even entered his compound.

During plenary session on Tuesday, while begging Nigerians for forgiveness, Ikwechegh still insisted that he was provoked. Adding, he acted out of provocation.

Ikwechegh said he has realised that it was a mistake to have assaulted the driver.  

He said and in quote: “Mr Speaker, Honourable colleagues, I just want to state once again that I am human even though things were said and those things, I regret.

“I apologise to all Nigerians regardless of the provocation, there should be no reason why I should react in that form. I want to use this opportunity to appeal to all Nigerians, let us let what has happened remain in the past and let us forge forward.”

In a statement on Monday, the office of the Inspector General of Police, IGP as made available by the Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said; “the Nigeria Police Force is aware of the incident between a Bolt driver, Mr Stephen Abuwatseya, and Honourable 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.”

in the recorded video, the House of Representatives member, Alex Ikwechegh was seen slapping the Bolt driver.

The altercation reportedly began when the lawmaker ordered snails from a vendor, who arranged for Abuwatseya to deliver them.

Upon arrival, according to the driver, he asked the man he met at the compound the whereabout of the person who ordered the snail, but the man refused  to speak.

Unknown to him the man was the same person he was looking for, he picked up phone and called the person who ordered the snails and to his surprise, the man’s phone rang.

According to the bolt driver, he has asked the Honourable  member to send someone to receive the snails from him at the gate but there was no response hence he decided to go into the compound to look for the owner of the snails so he could recover his money.

Thereafter, the lawmaker could be seen in the video calling the bolt driver unprintable names. Insisting he would not pay the bolt driver for the service he has rendered even after collecting the snails from the deliveryman.

The lawmaker in the video could also be seen apparently belittling the office of the Inspector General of Police. After the alleged assault, Ikwechegh  said as heard in the video that; “You can go ahead and call the Inspector General of Police”.

Reacting, The FCT Police Command in a statement on Monday said he “has received a report at the Maitama Divisional Headquarters regarding an incident involving a Bolt driver, Mr Stephen Abuwatseya, and Honourable Alexander Ikwegh, who represents the Aba North and South Federal Constituency in Abia State. The incident occurred on October 27, 2024, at a residence on Zamfara Crescent, Maitama, Abuja.

Preliminary investigations indicate that Mr Abuwatseya was delivering a package to Honourable Ikwegh when a dispute arose concerning the method of delivery. During this altercation, Mr Abuwatseya was reportedly physically assaulted.

The FCT Police Command expresses grave concern over Honourable Ikwegh’s dismissive attitude toward the office of the Inspector General of Police following the incident.

After allegedly slapping the victim, he reportedly remarked with contempt, “You can go ahead and call the Inspector General of Police,” demonstrating a troubling disregard for the authority of law enforcement.

Currently, the suspect is at the Maitama Police Station undergoing questioning.

Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Olatunji Disu, has mandated a thorough investigation into the matter. The Command is committed to conducting an impartial investigation and ensuring justice in all cases. Upon completion of the investigation, appropriate legal action will be taken”, SP Josephine Adeh, Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Abuja stated.

Nigeria House Of Representatives in a statement on Monday he’s monitoring media reports concerning an alleged incident.

“These reports, which have garnered widespread media coverage and public attention, detail accusations of a physical confrontation with an e-hailing driver, Citizen Stephen Abuwatseya, and the use of threatening language.

The 10th Assembly, House of Representatives, takes these allegations very seriously. As elected officials, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of ethical conduct and accountability in our official engagements and privately.

Any behaviour that falls short of these standards is a matter of concern, and we are committed to addressing such issues with the utmost seriousness.

We are aware that the matter is now before the Nigeria Police, and we urge the public to allow the due process of investigation to unfold.

We welcome further engagement from the public on the subject, which can be shared via email at akintunde.rotimi@nass.gov.ng, akinrotimi@gmail.com, even as we continue to monitor the situation.

We remain dedicated to upholding the values of accountability, transparency, and ethical behavior that define the 10th Assembly, House of Representatives. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available”, Akin Rotimi (junior), Spokesperson, House of Representatives said.