By: Mayen Etim
ABUJA – No fewer than Eighty-Four (84) Civil Society Organizations have condemned in strong terms Mr. Alex Ikwechegh, a member of the House of Representatives’ assault on one Mr Stephen Abuwatseya, a Bolt driver in Abuja on Sunday, October 27.
A statement issued on Friday, November 1, 2024 signed by the 84 CSOs and made available to newsmen expressed dismay over the silence of key elected officials and political figures on the issue despite compelling and irrefutable evidence.
The CSOs reminded 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.
The CSOs insisted that Mr. Alex Ikwechegh faces the full consequences of his action both before the courts and at the House of Representatives. “We insist on the fulfilment of the constitution: we are all equal before the law and should be treated as such.
“He should not enjoy any other special privileges, including being remanded in a ‘special cell'”, the CSOs stated in the release.
Below is the full text of the release issued by the CSOs:
IMPUNITY ON DISPLAY: Mr. Abuwatseya’s (Bolt Driver) Assault by Dishonourable Ikwechegh
We the undersigned civil society organizations, strongly condemn Mr. Alex Ikwechegh’s reprehensible assault on Mr. Stephen Abuwatseya, a Bolt driver in Abuja, on Sunday, October 27, 2024; and insist that he faces the full consequences of his action both before the courts and at the House of Representatives.
Mr. Ikwechegh, a member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, was captured in a viral video verbally and physically assaulting Mr. Abuwatseya, who, according to the lawmaker, had committed the “unforgivable” offence of politely requesting him to come to receive a package delivery in front of his home. Not only did Mr. Ikwechegh refuse to pay Mr. Abuwatseya for his services, he also launched a verbal tirade, falsely claiming to be a “Federal Senator” and boasting that he could act with impunity.
When the driver attempted to protect himself by recording the incident, Mr. Ikwechegh proceeded to slap him three times and, subsequently had him arrested by the police and his car impounded on the false charge of assaulting him.
Since the video was released across social media platforms, there has been widespread support for the Bolt driver and a strong condemnation of the lawmaker, who represents the Aba North and South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. The Nigerian 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, raises concerns that, had Mr. Abuwatseya not recorded the incident, he could easily have faced serious harm without consequence 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:
1. 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’.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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. Ikwechegh 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 organized civil society groups across Nigeria, we pledge to continue to amplify citizens’ voices and demand accountability from the government.
Signed:
1. 21st Century Community Empowerment for Youth and Women Initiative
2. Abubakar Mohammed
3. Accountability Lab
4. ACE-Nigeria
5. Advocacy Centre for Development
6. African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL)
7. African Law Foundation (AFRILAW)
8. Alliances for Africa (AFA)
9. Amnesty International Nigeria
10. Baobab for Women’s Human Rights
11. Bauchi Human Rights Network
12. BENDEF
13. BOCODEP
14. BudgIT
15. Bwatiye Community Development Association
16. Cedar Seed Foundation
17. CEE- HOPE
18. Centre for Community Excellence (CENCEX )
19. Centre for Social Justice
20. Centre LSD
21. Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)
22. Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD)
23. Citizens Advocacy for Social & Economic Rights (CASER)
24. Clean Technology Hub
25. CLEEN Foundation
26. Community Life Project (CLP)
27. Community Outreach for Development and Welfare Advocacy (CODWA)
28. Companions for the Development of Jibia Local Government Area
29. Connected Advocacy
30. Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR)
31. Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA)
32. Disabled People in Leadership Initiative and Network of Women with Disabilities
33. Dorothy Njemanze Foundation (DNF)
34. Enough Is Enough
35. F. S. A. F. C. I
36. FEMBUD
37. FENRAD
38. Gatefield
39. Gender Relevance Initiative Promotion
40. Global Rights
41. Grassroots Development Centre
42. HEDA
43. Human Rights Network Jigawa
44. Initiative for Social Development
45. Keen and Care Initiative (KCI)
46. Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre
47. Life and Peace Development Organisation
48. Media Rights Agenda
49. Mowalek Centre for Sustainable Community Development
50. Neighbourhood Environment Watch Foundation
51. Nextier SPD (Security, Peace and Development)
52. Nigerian Network of NGOs
53. Network of University Legal Aid Institutions (NULAI)
54. Online Hub NG
55. OrderPaper Advocacy Initiative
56. Organization for Community Civic Engagement (OCCEN)
57. Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN)
58. Partnership for Justice and Network of Nigerian Human Rights Defenders
59. Policy Alert
60. PRAWA International
61. Praxis Center
62. Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Nigeria
63. Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC)
64. SBM Intelligence
65. Sesor Empowerment Initiative
66. SIPJAD
67. Social Action
68. Socio-Economic Research and Development Centre
69. Sokoto Youth Council
70. South Saharan Social Development Organisation
71. Stephanie Peacebuilding and Development Foundation (SPADEV)
72. Support Initiative for Sustainable Development
73. Tap Initiative
74. TechHerNG
75. The Kukah Centre
76. The Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED)
77. Urban Alert
78. We The People
79. West African Drug Policy Network (WADPN)
80. Woman in Media Communication Initiative (WIM)
81. Women in Mining Nigeria (WIMNG)
82. Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA)
83. Yiaga Africa
84. Yobe Youth Council