In another development, Reps member, Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, who assaulted a bolt driver, Stephen Abuwatseya, last year said he and his victim are friends now.
The lawmaker representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency (APGA) was seen in a video clip that went viral on social media platforms, repeatedly slapping the bolt driver.
According to the viral video, the lawmaker slapped the driver when he requested the delivery fee, querying if the driver knew who he was talking to.
The lawmaker also threatened to make the driver “disappear” without facing any consequences.
However, following a widespread condemnation that trailed his actions and utterances, the lawmaker tendered a public apology for his conduct adding that he and his victim had explored “alternative dispute resolution methods” to sort out the issue.
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However, three months after the incident, the lawmaker while reflecting on the matter, said he has become friends with Abuwatseya and his pastor.
Speaking on Channels TV on Tuesday, January 28, 2024, Ikwechegh described the incident as unfortunate, saying it was “a low moment” for him.
“What happened was quite unfortunate, but I take it that it’s an avenue for me as a person to also build a relationship with the young man that came.
“Today we are friends. It was taken to court, but of course, the court found no merits, and it was struck out,” he said.
He went on to subtly justify his action saying, many Nigerians didn’t know what prompted his action because he felt the sanctity of his home was being desecrated.
“The video that everybody saw was a low moment. I felt the sanctity of my home was being desecrated.
“Of course, part of the video you people saw, is the part that people saw, people actually do not know what happened before that reaction.
“Like they say, actions preempt reactions, but whatever anybody must have seen is not indicative of who I am,” he said.
The lawmaker, however, reiterated the claim that his victim is his friend and that both of them have moved on.
“The young man is my friend now. I’m very close to his bishop, his pastor. And I’ve met a bunch of new friends, and today, the whole Nigerian now knows me…I guess, we’ve moved on,” Ikwechegh stated
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