Abuja driver’s assault: Court grants Rep. Ikwechegh N500,000 bail

After arraigning House of Representatives member Alex Ikwechegh for allegedly assaulting Bolt driver Mr. Stephen Abuwatseya outside his Abuja residence, a Kuje Magistrate Court granted him bail in the sum of N500,000.

The lawmaker, who is representing the Aba North and South federal constituency, pleaded not guilty to a First Information Report that the Nigerian Police Force filed against him before the court.

The defendant is facing a three-count charge bordering on abuse of office, assault, and threat to life.

However, counsel for the defendant made an oral application for his release on bail, pending the determination of the case.

The defendant argued that the 1999 Constitution, as amended, guaranteed his right to the presumption of innocence and that the charge against him contained offences that were subject to bail.

Magistrate Abubakar Umar Sai’id declared in his ruling that he was inclined to grant the defendant’s bail request.

Consequently, he granted the lawmaker bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in the same sum.

The court stressed that the sureties must not only reside within its jurisdiction but also provide their utility bills as proof of residence.

It subsequently adjourned the case to November 8 for trial.

Ikwechegh’s conduct has sparked outrage after a viral video showed him allegedly assaulting a Bolt driver and issuing threatening remarks.

Ikwechegh boasts in the disturbing footage that he has the power to make the driver “disappear” without a trace, sparking widespread condemnation.