The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, says his colleague, Alex Ikwechegh, may suffer “double tragedy” for assaulting an e-hailing driver Stephen Abuwatseya in the nation’s capital Abuja late October.
“Presently, he is being prosecuted. He is at the Magistrate Court. The House has also sent him to the disciplinary committee on the same issue,” Chinda said on the Sunday edition of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Channels Television.
“Perhaps, he might suffer double jeopardy if he is undergoing prosecution and disciplined in the House.”
Chinda said he has spoken with his colleague and he has shown remorse and apologised to Nigerians.
“But in essence, I don’t think anybody will agree that that is a standard for parliamentarians. They call us honourable members so we should be honourable within and outside the parliament. And people should look up to us. Public office holders are like pastors and Imams and people should look up to you in character and conduct,” he said.
Nigerians were outraged in late October when a video of Ikwechegh assaulting the e-hailing driver in Abuja. The lawmaker had ordered some snails from a vendor who engaged the services of the e-hailing App driver to deliver the goods. A heated disagreement ensued when the driver arrived at the lawmaker’s residence and asked to be paid.
Ikwechegh represents Aba North & South Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
A furious Ikwechegh was heard speaking with the vendor on the phone in the presence of the driver. “How can this stupid idiot come to me and tell me that I am supposed to come and meet him in his car and pick up a snail I am buying from you? I can make this man disappear in the whole of Nigeria and nothing will happen.” the lawmaker blurted to the speaker on the other side.
After the phone conversation with the snail vendor, Ikwechegh faced Abuwatseya and thudded two slaps on the cheeks of the driver who maintained his composure in the face of the assault.
Many Nigerians had called for justice with the police arresting and prosecuting the lawmaker who has since tendered a public apology to the driver and Nigerians.
Last Wednesday, a Kuje Magistrates’ Court granted bail to Ikwechegh for ₦500,000 after he was arraigned on three counts of abuse of office, assault, and threat to life, to which he pleaded not guilty.
Magistrate Abubakar Umar Sai’id has adjourned the case to November 8 for a hearing.