Nigeria now knows me as man who makes things disappear- Abia lawmaker

A House of Representatives member representing ABA North/South of Abia State in the National Assembly, Alex Ikwechegh, who assaulted an e-hailing driver, Stephen Abuwatseya, after an altercation occurred during a package delivery, has jokingly stated that his altercation with a Bolt driver in Abuja in October 2024 significantly increased his recognition among Nigerians.

Ikwechegh added that the altercation has earned him the title “the man that makes things disappear.”

The lawmaker stated this on Tuesday when he was featured on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily program on Tuesday, noting that he has moved past the incident and even built a cordial relationship with the e-hailing driver.

“What happened was quite unfortunate but I take it as an avenue for me as a person to also build a relationship with the young man. Today, we are friends. I was taken CR to court but the court found no merit and then it was struck out.”

“The video that everybody saw was a low moment. I felt the sanctity of my home was being desecrated. The part of the video where you people saw was the part that people saw; people do not know what happened before that reaction. Like they say, actions pre-empt reactions.

“But whatever anybody has seen is not indicative of who I am. I’ve been in the public space for a very long time and there has never been any scandal about me. However, the young man is my friend now and I am very close to his bishop, his pastor and I’ve made a bunch of new friends and today the whole of Nigeria now knows me as the man that makes things disappear. We’ve moved on, it’s in the past now,” he stated.

On October 28, it was reported that Ikwechegh assaulted the Bolt driver who had gone to deliver a package to him.

A viral video recorded by Abuwatseya captured the altercation at Ikwechegh’s residence in Maitama, Abuja.

The footage showed the visibly upset lawmaker repeatedly slapping and insulting the driver after the driver requested that he come outside to collect a package of snails meant for delivery.

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In the aftermath of the incident, Ikwechegh issued a public apology, expressing regret for his actions.

In a message posted on Instagram, he apologised to the Bolt driver, the Nigerian Police Force and the National Assembly, admitting that his behaviour fell short of the standards expected of a public official, regardless of the provocation.

Ikwechegh also revealed that he and Abuwatseya had resolved the matter through alternative dispute resolution, reaching what he described as a “mutual and respectful agreement.”

Following the assault, a Kuje Magistrates’ Court arraigned and granted Ikwechegh ₦500,000 bail.

Ikwechegh was arraigned on a three-count charge of abuse of office, assault, and threat to life.

The charges stem from allegations by the Inspector General of Police that he assaulted a Bolt driver, Stephen Abuwatseya, outside his residence in Abuja.

The lawmaker pleaded not guilty to the charges. Following his plea, Ikwechegh’s counsel made an oral application for bail, which Magistrate Abubakar Umar Sai’id granted under specified conditions.

However, in a turn of events, the Bolt driver tendered a public apology to the lawmaker, expressing regret for provoking Ikwechegh while asking Nigerians for forgiveness.