From Victor Osula, Abuja
The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, referred Alexander Mascot Ikwechegh, the lawmaker representing Aba North/South Federal Constituency in the Green chamber, to its Committee on Ethics and Privileges for investigation.
This follows the adoption of a motion raised at plenary on Tuesday, by the House Majority Leader, Julius Ihonvbere.
Ikwechegh had assaulted a Bolt driver, Mr Stephen Abuwatseya, and made derogatory comment on the office of the Inspector General of Police.
A viral video of the incident shared on X by former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu, caught the enraged lawmaker assaulting the Bolt driver for asking him to pick up a delivery.
“Do you know who I am? Can you imagine this rat, I can make him disappear in Nigeria and nothing will happen. I will not even call my police. I will beat you up myself and lock you in my dogs’ house. I’ll beat you up and lock you in my generator house. I will make you disappear in the whole of Nigeria. Call IGP, record me”, Ikwechegh roared as he slapped the driver multiple times.
Speaking at plenary on Tuesday, Prof Ihonvbere, emphasised that the image of the House must be protected, especially the fact that there have been conscious efforts from previous assemblies to remove negative images when interacting with the outside world.
“It is the way you do your house, the role you have to manage your house, that outsiders will see, and give respect to the problems in your house. In fact, Mr Speaker, the tendency has been for people, particularly in certain sectors, to say how to respect the existence of the house rules.
“In this house, we come from different professional backgrounds and different cultures, and many of us have invested so heavily into improving the reputation before we came here. It is that reputation that we brought to the Representatives, that has a huge impact on education.
“We all have to meditate where we go, who we talk to, how we talk to them, how we relate to them. And sometimes you do not have to just allow this to happen. Sometimes you have to help the institution, and we have the responsibility to do this.
“To lead this institution to where it can go, where we can handle it, so that those that will come to the house, will have a place to be part of us. Our goal is to have together a value that stands. I want to say that what has been in the news, and what we have learned about it, is that one of our members was involved with a citizen”, he said.
Supporting the order, Babajimi Benson, lawmaker representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency of Lagos State, said the Parliament is one of the most hated institutions in Nigeria and the reason members must be guided and know that Nigerians are authority over lawmakers
“Mr Speaker, our elders have always said that the day we stop learning is the day we die. They also say that we learn from mistakes and not from successes. However, Parliament is one of the most hated institutions in Nigeria today. We are watched morning, afternoon and night, even though most of us have very noble intentions for the people of Nigeria. We should always be guided and also know that we are not an authority over Nigerians, Nigerians are an authority over us.
“They should be treated with dignity, with respect and with kindness at all times. So if we abide by this politically, Mr Speaker, we will begin and continue to change that heavily battered image, the garment of which we all wear. So I call on you, Mr Speaker, I raise my case on these three points”, he said.
Although, Ikwechegh apologised to the House for his unprincipled conduct and the use of derogatory words on the e-hailing cab driver, he said the matter had been resolved with the driver.
But Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the plenary, emphasised that the House was guided by its rules.
“The truth is that we cannot act according to our rules. We cannot act according to what anyone wants us to do. We are guided by our rules. I also maintain that if at any point we feel that the integrity, the dignity of the parliament, have been threatened, or scratched, we will investigate through our impartial structure in the eyes of principles of Nigerian justice, which is fair dialogue.
“That is what we put in our rules. It is not good for us to judge, you know, ahead of time and take the last decision. Therefore, in line with the prayers of the leader of the House, that this matter be referred to the committee of eighties and privilege for him to be heard”, he said.
When put to vote, the House unanimously adopted the motion and mandated its Committee on Ethics and Privileges to investigate and report back within two weeks for further legislative action.
Ikwechegh is currently under interrogation of the FCT Police Command for bringing the name of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to disrepute by daring the driver to make calls to him after assaulting the driver.
Earlier on Tuesday, Ikwechegh admitted his actions fell short of the standards expected of a public official and expressed regret over the harm caused to the driver, the public, and his constituents.
“I recognise the trust placed in me as a public servant. My behaviour was unacceptable, and for that, I am deeply sorry” said Ikwechegh. as he pledged full cooperation with the police investigation and applauded the swift response from authorities and his political party in condemning his behaviour.