The House of Representatives has condemned the assault on a ride-hailing driver by one of its members, Alex Ikwechegh. The incident, which was captured on video and went viral, showed Ikwechegh physically assaulting and threatening driver Stephen Abuwatseya.
In response to the video’s widespread circulation, the House expressed its serious concern over the matter. In an official statement, House spokesman Akin Rotimi Jr. said, “These reports detail accusations of a physical confrontation with Citizen Stephen Abuwatseya and the use of threatening language.”
The statement emphasized the commitment of the 10th Assembly to high standards of ethical conduct and accountability, stating, “Any behavior that falls short of these standards is a matter of concern, and we are committed to addressing such issues with the utmost seriousness.”
The House acknowledged that the incident is currently under investigation by the Nigeria Police and urged the public to allow due process to unfold. “We welcome further engagement from the public on the subject,” Rotimi added, providing contact emails for public submissions.
The statement concluded with a commitment to uphold the values of accountability and transparency, assuring that further updates would be provided as more information becomes available.
Following the incident, police authorities in the Federal Capital Territory confirmed that Ikwechegh is in custody. “Currently, the suspect is at the Maitama Police Station undergoing questioning,” the police stated.
