A coalition of over 84 civil society organisations (CSOs) has strongly condemned a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Alex Ikwechegh over his assault on an e-hailing driver, Mr. Stephen Abuwatseya, last Sunday in Abuja.
The CSOs insist that the federal lawmaker should face the full consequences of his action before the courts and at the House of Representatives.
Ikwechegh was captured in a viral video verbally and physically assaulting Abuwatseya, who had politely requested him (Ikwechegh) to come and receive a package delivery in front of his home.
Ikwechegh launched a verbal tirade on the driver, boasting that he could act with impunity.
The coalition recalled: “Since the video was released across social media platforms, there has been widespread support for the driver and a strong condemnation of the lawmaker, who represents the Aba North and South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
“The Nigeria Police have arrested Mr. Ikwechegh for the crime, and he has since issued an apology to the driver. While some may see this as a resolution, doing so would dismiss the deep-rooted impunity in Nigeria’s justice system that enabled Mr. Ikwechegh’s conduct.
“His brazen invocation of Nigeria’s top law enforcement authority, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), raises concerns that, had Mr. Abuwatseya not recorded the incident, he could easily have faced serious harm without any consequences for the lawmaker. This case unfortunately exemplifies the impunity that has come to define our government in all arms and at all levels.
“We are troubled by the silence of key elected officials and political figures on this issue. The evidence is compelling and irrefutable, yet Mr. Ikwechegh’s colleagues at the National Assembly have failed to condemn his actions.
“Some may point to his apology as proof of remorse, but it is telling that, even in this arguably forced apology, he referred to Mr. Abuwatseya merely as “the Bolt driver”, failing to show basic respect by addressing him by name; and claimed that he was assisting the police to bring the culprit in the matter to book, when he is, in actual fact, the culprit!
“We remind the House of Representatives and indeed all the arms of government that a fundamental principle of democracy is adherence to the rule of law, under which no one is above or below the law.
“We also remind them of their duty as clearly spelt out in the Constitution in Section 14(2)(b): ‘the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government’. Section 34 of the same constitution mandates that the government should protect the dignity of all citizens.
“However we note the converse in Nigeria: the powerful know that they are just a phone call away from exoneration. In contrast, the indigent know they are only one step away from oppression and the loss of their freedoms at all times. The right to dignity is often a function of ‘do you know who I am’?
“We insist on the fulfilment of the constitution: we are all equal before the law and should be treated as such.
In light of this incident, we demand the following actions:
“The Nigerian Police and Ministry of Justice should ensure justice is served. Mr. Ikwechegh must be prosecuted for his actions. Like any other suspect, he enjoys the rights afforded under Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended. He should not enjoy any other special privileges, including being remanded in a ‘special cell’.
“The immediate suspension of Mr. Ikwechegh by the House of Representatives, in line with House Rules. If the House fails to act, it will imply tacit approval of the oppression of citizens whom they are elected to represent.
“Mr. Stephen Abuwatseya must enjoy full protection from intimidation by Nigerian law enforcement, and they must ensure he has ease of access to file a complaint against his attacker.
“The National Human Rights Commission, as the vanguard for human rights, must ensure that this matter is given the priority it deserves and ensure that the influence that Mr. Ikwechgh and his cohort wield does not prejudice the outcome of this case.
“We take this opportunity to call attention to the numerous issues plaguing Nigeria’s justice system, including the horrors of the remand detention system and the plight of thousands awaiting trial. Urgent and critical reforms in our justice system are long overdue.
“As a coalition of organised civil society groups across Nigeria, we pledge to continue to amplify citizens’ voices and demand accountability from the government”.
