A Kuje Justice of the Peace Courtroom within the Federal Capital Dimension has adjourned to Friday, November 8, to start out listening to at the fees introduced towards a member of the Area of Representatives, representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency of Abia Environment, Alexander Ikwechegh, later granting him bail within the sum of N500, 000.
Ikwechegh, who was once arraigned on Wednesday, prior to His Devotion, Abubakar Umar Sai’identification, for allegedly assaulting a Bolt driving force, Stephen Abuwatseya, at his place of dwelling in Abuja, pleaded no longer to blame to the costs introduced towards him.
The Inspector Basic of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, arraigned Ikwechegh on 3 counts bordering on abuse of workplace, attack and blackmail to day.
Upcoming taking his plea, the lawmaker’s suggest proceeded to produce an oral utility for bail, which was once granted by means of the courtroom.
The Justice of the Peace mentioned, “The court will grant the defendant a bail set at N500,000, with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and provide utility bills as proof of residence.”
The courtroom proceeded to adjourn the listening to within the subject until November 8.
A video of Ikwechegh allegedly assaulting the Bolt driving force had long past viral on social media on Monday.
Within the video, Ikwechegh can also be clear many times slapping the driving force. Except for the slaps, the lawmaker can also be heard threatening the driving force and assuring him of the way he can produce him disappear with out a hint.
In the meantime, a civil folk organisation, Rule of Regulation and Duty Advocacy Centre, in a commentary, on Wednesday, condemned Ikwechegh’s motion and described it as “a glaring example of abuse of power” maximum regular with politicians.
The commentary signed by means of RULAAC’s Government Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, mentioned the lawmaker’s motion was once a embarassment no longer simplest on him but additionally on each and every member of the Area of Representatives.
He mentioned, “The hot incident involving a federal lawmaker, Alex Ikwecheghi’s brutal remedy of Uber driving force, Mr Stephen Abuwatseya, is a obtrusive instance of the abuse of energy that permeates Nigeria’s political terrain. Ikwechegh’s movements, together with verbal and bodily attack, in addition to intimidation of the sufferer, divulge a profound inadequency of shyness and admire for the rights of others that are meant to be anticipated from anyone in a population workplace.
“This incident no longer simplest shames Ikwechegh but additionally displays poorly at the Area of Representatives, the police, and the wider political device. The indiscriminate usefulness of energy to peace and keep watch over inclined electorate showcases a troubling pattern amongst officers who appear to function above the regulation. The complacency of the police on this subject raises severe issues about their integrity and constancy to justice, as they seem extra prepared to handover influential people than to preserve the guideline of regulation.
“While the House of Representatives’ decision to investigate this behaviour is a positive step, it remains to be seen whether meaningful accountability will follow. Historical precedents suggest a risk of sweeping the issue under the rug once public outrage subsides, which would do little to repair public trust in governance.”
Nwanguma famous that the societal implications of the incident had been dire because it “transcends the individual and speaks to a culture of impunity that must be addressed,” imploring that justice should no longer simplest be served for Abuwatseya but additionally the various unnamed sufferers of homogeneous abuses.
“This case must serve as a catalyst for change, leading to reforms that prioritise respect for human rights and the rule of law in Nigeria”, he mentioned.