The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Police Command said on Monday it has arrested a lawmaker for assaulting a driver in the nation’s capital.
Josephine Adeh, the spokesperson for the Abuja Command, confirmed that Alex Mascot Ikwechegh has been arrested.
She said Ikwechegh is “at the Maitama Police Station undergoing questioning”.
The Police spokesperson explained in the statement that the cab driver, Stephen Abuwatseya, reported the matter to the Command.
“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 enforcement.
“Currently, the suspect is at the Maitama Police Station undergoing questioning,” the statement read.
The statement added that the Commissioner of Police in the FCT, 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.”
Ikwechegh was seen in a viral video assaulting a Bolt driver during the delivery of a package to him at his residence in Maitama, Abuja, has emerged online.
The driver had filmed the altercation between him and the Reps member representing Aba North & South Federal Constituency on the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) platform.
The lawmaker repeatedly slapped and insulted the driver for telling him to come out and get the snail the driver was meant to deliver to him.
In the footage, Ikwechegh insisted that the request was disrespectful given his social status while threatening to make the driver “disappear” without facing any consequences.
When the driver requested the delivery fee, the politician slapped him multiple times, querying the driver if he knew who he was talking to.
Realizing he was being filmed, Ikwechegh dared the driver to film him properly and call the Inspector General of Police.
Part of his words reads, “Do you know who I am? I can make this man (driver) disappear in the whole of Nigeria and nothing will happen. Can you imagine this rat? I am not going to give this boy one naira of my money.
“I am not going to call my policemen to beat you up, I will do that myself. I will show that I am a big brother to you, tie you up, lie you down and put you in my generator house. Do you know where you are? Because you saw me sitting outside here. Look at this monkey.
“Do you know who I am I just slapped you and there’s nothing you will do. My name is Honourable Alex Ikwechegh, tell them (public) I slapped you. Call the Inspector General of Police that I slapped you, let him come. Record me very well.”
