Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, a serving member of the Federal House of Representatives representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency, has come under scrutiny following a petition filed by legal representatives of Mr. Steven Abuwatseye, a Bolt driver. The incident, which occurred on the evening of October 27, 2024, in Maitama, Abuja, has raised serious concerns over the conduct of the Federal Lawmaker.
According to the petition, filed by Deji Adeyanju & Partners on behalf of Mr. Abuwatseye, the Bolt driver had been contracted to deliver food to Hon. Ikwechegh’s residence. Upon arrival, the lawmaker allegedly insisted that the delivery be made inside his premises, contrary to established guidelines for delivery drivers in the Federal Capital Territory. Mr. Abuwatseye reportedly declined, requesting that someone collect the delivery outside the gate as is standard practice.
The situation escalated when Mr. Abuwatseye’s refusal allegedly provoked a violent reaction from Hon. Ikwechegh. The lawmaker is accused of physically assaulting the driver, tearing his clothes, and issuing threats that he could “disappear” without a trace if he escalated the matter. It is claimed that the lawmaker even dared Mr. Abuwatseye to involve the Inspector General of Police, asserting that no repercussions would follow. Subsequently, Mr. Abuwatseye was reportedly detained at Maitama Police Station, and his vehicle was seized by an investigating officer.
In light of these allegations, Deji Adeyanju & Partners have urged the Inspector General of Police to conduct a thorough investigation. They emphasized the seriousness of the alleged threats, pointing out the recent rise in enforced disappearances across the country involving both state and non-state actors. The legal team contends that such behavior from a serving lawmaker, who is tasked with the protection and welfare of citizens, is unacceptable and poses a threat to the safety of their client and potentially others.
The petition calls for an impartial investigation with the aim of prosecuting Hon. Ikwechegh for the alleged grievous assault, abuse of power, and threats to life. The legal representatives have also attached a video recording of the incident for reference.
The case is currently being handled by the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, and a video purportedly showing the confrontation has sparked public debate and raised questions about the accountability of public officials. The outcome of the investigation remains to be seen as the authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
