A video circulating online has shown Honorable Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, a member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, allegedly assaulting an Uber driver during a delivery at his residence in Maitama, Abuja.
Ikwechegh, who represents Aba North and South Federal Constituency under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), is at the center of a growing controversy as the video spreads across social media platforms.
The incident reportedly took place when the Uber driver delivered items, believed to be snails, to Ikwechegh’s residence.
According to reports, the confrontation began when the driver refused to take the delivery into the lawmaker’s home, instead asking Ikwechegh to collect the items from the car himself. This request seemingly escalated tensions, leading to a heated altercation.
In the video, Ikwechegh can be seen angrily confronting the driver, even making threatening statements. “Can you imagine this rat? I can make this man disappear in this Nigeria and nothing will happen,” he is heard saying, asserting his position as a member of the House of Representatives.
At one point, the lawmaker allegedly hits the driver, and a second part of the footage shows the driver in his car, shirtless, claiming that Ikwechegh tore his clothing during the encounter.
This incident has sparked a wave of outrage on social media, with many Nigerians demanding accountability and justice.
Citizens have called on relevant authorities to investigate the matter and address the lawmaker’s conduct, as public trust in elected officials continues to be a critical concern.
@MayJaYBaE wrote: “He said he’d make him disappear in Nigeria and nothing will happen on top say make he come collect item. He felt he disrespected him. A simple please bring in inside the house, just normal courtesy. He felt an ordinary Bolt driver should lick his ass. Stupid classism.”
@ChuksOhaxx said: “God don butter this guy bread.. find better lawyer and sue that man joor. Life changing opportunity with evidence. Lmao.”
@Seankleann reacted: “Even if he sues for assault, as a member of House of Representatives, I dont think the @PoliceNG will do justice to this case. I strongly doubt the outcome favoring that Uber Driver, do you know why? Bcos he’s a NOBODY. Just watch how the matter would be swept under the carpet.”
@HeDontMakeNoise stated: “I will make you dissappear and nothing will happen” ke??? This is enough to ruin his political career permanently but… You can already see ret@rded Nigerians, who are so in love with their chains, trying to justify these shameful actions.”
Bolt, a popular ride-hailing platform in Nigeria, has not yet publicly commented on the incident involving one of its drivers.
The House of Representatives and APGA leadership have also not issued any statements regarding the actions of Ikwechegh, who was elected to represent his constituency in Abia State.
Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested Hon. Alexander Ikwechegh, a member of the House of Representatives representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency of Abia State, over allegations of assaulting a Bolt driver, Mr. Stephen Abuwatseya, and making disparaging remarks about the office of the Inspector General of Police.
The arrest followed a report filed at the Maitama Divisional Headquarters regarding the incident.
According to the FCT Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, the Command took immediate action upon receiving the complaint, leading to Hon. Ikwechegh’s detention.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that Mr. Abuwatseya was delivering a package to Hon. 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 Hon. 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 enforcements.
“Currently, the suspect is at the Maitama Police Station undergoing questioning,” the FCT police image maker said.
She added that the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu has mandated a thorough investigation into the matter while assuring of the Command’s commitment to conducting an impartial investigation and ensuring justice in all cases.
Police said appropriate legal action will be taken upon completion of the investigation.
Meanwhile, Social media critic, Martin Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan has stated that Abia State lawmaker who allegedly assaulted the Bolt driver is not a Senator and has no immunity.
VeryDarkMan stated this in a video he recorded with the driver and shared on his Instagram page on Monday.
“This is the bolt driver that was assaulted by that man claimed to be a senator. I just found out that that man is not a senator, he has no immunity,” VeryDarkMan said.
In the video shared by VeryDarkMan on Monday, the Bolt driver narrated that he was eventually arrested and taken to the Maitama Police Station where he was denied the right to receive calls.
He added that Police officers at the station accused him of going to fight a ‘senator’ in his home and that the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) at the division went away to speak with Ikwechegh on the phone.
He added that the IPO who went to Ikwechegh’s residence to interview the lawmaker only returned and started questioning him for making video recordings at the lawmaker’s home.
The driver also recounted that Ikwechegh later reported to the police station and started calling him names.
According to the driver, the Abia State lawmaker called him a common Bolt driver and poor man who had pride, “You are a common bolt driver, you are a poor man and you have pride.”
He further revealed that he was released on Monday, but his car was still in the custody of the police while Ikwechegh who assaulted him was walking free.
