A supposedly honourable member of the House of Representatives, Alex Mascot Ikwechegh who on Monday allegedly assaulted a bolt driver at his Abuja residence, has been arraigned not withstanding his apologies.
The Police kept to its promise and docked Alex Mascot Ikwechegh on Wednesday afternoon before Kuje Chief Magistrate Court sitting at Kuje.
Kuje is the headquarters of Kuje local Government Council Area about 50 kilometres away from Abuja Centre District. Ikwechegh was docked for alleged abuses of office, assault and threat to life of a Bolt driver, Stephen Abuwatseya.
The lawmaker, representing Aba North and South federal constituency of Abia State, pleaded not guilty to Police First Information Report entered against him before the Chief Magistrates.
Following Ikwechegh’s plea of not guilty, the prosecution counsel, Mr. A. Umar, applied for a date for full-blown hearing to commence in the matter and also asked the Magistrates to remand the defendant.
However, counsel to the defendant made an oral application for his release on bail, pending the determination of the case.
The defendant contended that the charge against him was bailable, adding that his right to presumption of innocence was guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
In his ruling, Magistrate Abubakar Umar Sai’id ruled that he was minded to accede to the defendant’s application for bail.
Consequently, he granted the lawmaker bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in the like sum.
The Chief Magistrates said 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 to November 8 for trial.
It will be recalled that Hon. Ikwechegh was seen in a video clip that went viral on social media platforms, repeatedly slapping a bolt driver identified as Stephen Abuwatseya
Irked by what he described as the driver’s rude behaviour towards him, the federal lawmaker boasted that he could make him disappear without trace and nothing would happen.
Amidst public outcries and widespread condemnation that trailed his action and utterances, the lawmaker tendered a public apology for his conduct.