A coalition of over 80 civil society organizations has called for strict legal action against Nigerian House of Representatives member, Mr. Alex Ikwechegh, following a viral video that captured his alleged verbal and physical assault on Mr. Stephen Abuwatseya, a Bolt driver, in Abuja on October 27, 2024. The incident, which has sparked widespread outrage, reportedly began when Mr. Abuwatseya requested that Mr. Ikwechegh step outside to collect a package. The request allegedly provoked a violent reaction from the lawmaker, including refusing to pay for the service and falsely claiming to be a “Federal Senator.”
According to reports, Mr. Ikwechegh physically assaulted Mr. Abuwatseya and had him arrested, resulting in the impounding of the driver’s vehicle on dubious grounds. The viral footage of the incident has since garnered significant public support for Mr. Abuwatseya and condemnation of Mr. Ikwechegh, who represents Aba North and South Federal Constituency. Mr. Ikwechegh has issued a public apology, referring to the victim as “the driver,” but many Nigerians and civil society groups argue that the apology fails to address the severity of the incident or reflect genuine remorse.
In a joint statement, the civil society groups emphasized the incident as a stark example of impunity and abuse of power among Nigerian officials. The coalition criticized Ikwechegh’s invocation of the Inspector-General of Police during the altercation, suggesting that, without video evidence, the incident could have had severe consequences for the driver.
The civil society groups have outlined a series of demands, urging the Nigerian Police and the Ministry of Justice to ensure that Ikwechegh is prosecuted according to the law, without special privileges. They also called for the National Assembly to suspend the lawmaker, stressing that his conduct undermines the dignity and security of Nigerian citizens. Additionally, the coalition requested that Mr. Abuwatseya be protected from further intimidation and that the National Human Rights Commission prioritize the case to safeguard the driver’s rights.
The coalition’s statement highlighted systemic issues within Nigeria’s justice system, noting that such incidents reflect broader challenges faced by ordinary Nigerians, particularly in accessing justice and fair treatment.
Signed by leading civil society organizations including Amnesty International Nigeria, CLEEN Foundation, BudgIT, and Yiaga Africa, the statement reaffirms the coalition’s commitment to defending the rights of Nigerian citizens and holding government representatives accountable. The incident, they insist, must be addressed as a matter of national concern to prevent similar abuses of power in the future.