The Police have arraigned a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, on Wednesday, before an Abuja Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting at Kuje for allegedly assaulting a bolt driver at his Abuja residence.
The lawmaker, who is representing Aba North and South federal constituency of Abia State, was also accused of abusing his office and threatening the e-hailing driver’s life.
The charge against the defendant bordered on abuse of office, assault, and threat to life.
After the charges were read to him by the court clerk, the defendant entered into a not-guilty plea.
Consequently, the prosecution counsel, Mr. A. Umar, applied for a date for full-blown hearing to commence in the matter.
The bolt driver was represented in court by a human rights activist, Mr. Deji Adeyanju.
However, counsel to the defendant made an oral application for the lawmaker’s release on bail, pending the determination of the case.
The defendant argued that the charge against him contained bailable offences, adding that his right to presumption of innocence was guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
In his ruling, Magistrate Abubakar Umar Sai’id acceded to the defendant’s application for bail and granted Ikwecheg bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in the like 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 matter till November 8 for trial.
Investors King had reported that the federal lawmaker had boasted that he could make the driver disappear without a trace and nothing would happen.
Ikwecheg was seen in a viral video expressing displeasure over what he described as the driver’s rude behaviour towards him when the driver asked him to come out of his residence and collect a delivery.
However, following a widespread condemnation that trailed his action and utterances, the lawmaker tendered a public apology for his conduct.