COVER
Rep Under Fire for Assaulting Abuja Cab Driver
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
A member of the House of Representatives, Alex Mascot Ikwechegh has come under intense heat for physically assaulting a Bolt driver, Stephen Abuwatseye at his Maitama, Abuja private residence.
The assault, which took place on Sunday, depicted Ikwechegh in a viral video slap Abuwatseye repeatedly as the hapless cab driver absorbed blows from the enraged lawmaker.
Ikwechegh, who represents Abia North and South Federal Constituency, Abia State is heard in the video threatening to cause the disappearance of the driver without any consequences.
It could not be immediately established if the Rep had caused the disappearance of any Nigerian previously.
Narrating his ordeal at the hand of Ikwechegh, the cab driver said he was at the lawmaker’s house to deliver a package sent through him by a client when the incident happened.
According to him, the lawmaker flew off the handle when he (driver) asked him to come over to his car to pick his package, as is the rule in the delivery business.
Obviously irked by what he considered the driver’s effrontery, Ikwechegh flew into a rage, dealing the driver slaps and simultaneously spewing obscenities at the cab man.
Apparently to suggest that he was untouchable, the lawmaker derisively challenged the driver to call the Inspector General of Police to come to his rescue.
From the victim’s account, policemen at the Maitama police station had attempted to muddle up the case before they realised that the event was captured on video which had gone rival.
The driver narrated how policemen “bundled” him from the lawmaker’s home, drove him to the station and kept him behind the counter for more than two hours before he was released without his car.
In a reaction, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command said it detained the lawmaker.
A statement yesterday by the FCT Police Command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh highlighted concerns about the lawmaker’s reference to the Inspector General of Police, describing it as dismissive toward law enforcement.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that Mr. Abuwatseya was delivering a package to Hon. Ikwechegh when a disagreement over the delivery method escalated. During the altercation, Mr. Abuwatseya was reportedly physically assaulted,” SP Adeh said.
The police also noted that Ikwechegh allegedly challenged the authority of the Inspector General of Police, reportedly telling the driver, “You can go ahead and call the Inspector General of Police,” in a contemptuous tone.
“Following the incident, Ikwechegh was taken to the Maitama Police Station, where he is currently being questioned.
“In a further account, Mr. Abuwatseya claimed that Ikwegh insulted him, saying, ‘You are a common Bolt driver, you are a poor man, and you have pride.’
“He was subsequently detained at the police station, where he alleged was denied calls and accused by officers of ‘fighting a senator.’
“While Mr. Abuwatseya has since been released, his vehicle remains in police custody as investigations continue,” the police said.
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on the platform which Ikwechegh got elected to the House of Representatives has described his actions as unacceptable.
APGA’s National Publicity Secretary, Ejimofor Opara, in a statement yesterday condemned the lawmaker’s behaviour.
The statement reads: “The attention of our great party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has been drawn to a viral video of alleged assault meted out to a citizen by the Honourable member representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency, Hon Alex Ikwechegh.
“As a political party founded on respect for human rights, we roundly condemn the action of our said member and Federal Parliamentarian, Hon Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency, on the platform of our great party.
“As a party, we are founded on the basic principles of upholding the dignity of all humans irrespective of class, creed, and/or ethnicity.
“The recent video allegedly showing Hon Ikwechegh assaulting a cab driver is totally unacceptable and runs counter to what our party—APGA—represents.
Opera said in line with APGA’s constitution, the leadership of the party would set up a disciplinary committee to investigate the act, and if found wanting, appropriate sanctions would be meted out to him in line with the constitution of the party.
The party enjoined its members and elected officials to exhibit the highest standards of decorum, civility and integrity in all public and private engagements.
The spokesman stressed that the party would not tolerate any verifiable conduct that is not in tandem with the ideals of its founding fathers.
If the Nigerian state decides to press assault charges against the lawmaker, he may be liable for a jail term of three to seven years if found guilty.
Section 355 of the Criminal Code Act, states that: Any person who unlawfully assaults another and thereby does him harm, is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for three years.
Section 355 of the Act states: Assault endangering life or health…for example an assault with results in grievous harm to another may constitute an offence under section 335 of the code which provides that any person who unlawfully does grievous harm to another is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for seven years.
Section 27 of the Criminal Code deal with presumption of sanity in a typical case involving the Rep. It states:
Every person is presumed to be of sound mind and to have been of sound mind at any time which comes in question, until the contrary is proved.
Section 84 of Criminal Code states that: Any person who challenges another to fight a duel, or attempts to provoke another to fight a duel, or attempts to provoke any person to challenge another to fight a duel, is guilty of a felony, and is liable to imprisonment for three years.
Already, Civil Society Groups have waded in the case as activist lawyer, Deji Adeyanju yesterday filed a case against the lawmaker on behalf of the cab driver.
Similarly, a social media activist, Martins Otse, popularly known as Verydarkman, has also taken up the case.There are indeed testy days ahead for the lawmaker for his indiscretions.
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
As part of efforts to reposition the newspaper for optimum corporate performance, the management of Asset Newspapers Limited, Publishers of DAILY ASSET, has announced the appointment of David Torough as the Editor of the Abuja-based national daily.
A statement by the management said the appointments were part of the company’s new strategy to further penetrate the various states in the country and raise its readership and patronage.
“DAILY ASSET is widely acceptable across the country and to maintain our leadership position, we need to increase management presence, hence the need to create new Bureau offices in some locations outside Abuja and Lagos,” the statement quoted the Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief, Dr Cletus Akwaya to have said.
In a statement yesterday, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the fast-growing daily, Dr. Cletus Akwaya said the appointment was part of the new strategy to properly situate the paper for better productivity.
“DAILY ASSET has a commitment with the Nigerian people. We are determined to weather the storm and give Nigerian readers a Newspaper that satisfies their yearnings and reading pleasure and we can only do that with the right set of professionals,” the statement said.
Akwaya, a former Commissioner of Information from Benue State said the difficult times being faced by Nigerians posed a great challenge to the media as the people deserved credible information with which to make choices.
“We have a bond with the people, to offer credible information at all times in the best tradition of the Nigerian Press and on this scale of objectivity, truth and fairness, we pledge to remain steadfast no matter the challenges,” Akwaya was quoted to have said.
He said the newspaper will maiantin its daily print run and circulation to all states of the federation and urged advertisers to take advantage of the deep penetration of the Daily Asset brand to send their messages.
Torough, the new Editor has had a steady rise in the Newspaper in the last five years.
A graduate of Mass communication of the Benue State University, Makurdi, Torough joined the company in 2022 as Benue State Correspondent. He was spotted for his brilliance and redeployed to Abuja the following year and promoted to Deputy News Editor. He was subswuently named Deputy Editor of the paper, a position he held until the recent appointment.
Torough has attended several journalistic workshops and trainings to properly equip himself for the task ahead.
The statement also said the Management named Eze Okechukwu as Deputy Editor.
Before his elevation as Deputy Editor, Eze has been Deputy Politics Editor and DAILY ASSET Newspaper correspondent covering the Senate, having joined the organization in 2021.
Born on March 10, 1975, Eze holds a Masters Degree in Mass Communication from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
Eze began his journalism career with Daily Star, Enugu and later worked with Daily Trust Newspaper, Abuja as sports reporter.
Aside from his journalistic excellence, he has a great deal of passion for sports.
From Ngutor Dekera, Kaduna and Aliyu Askira, Kano
Northern governors and traditional rulers yesterday called for the suspension of mining activities across the region for six months, blaming illegal mining for worsening insecurity in many states.The resolution was contained in a communiqué issued after a joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna.
The meeting, chaired by the Gombe State Governor and NSGF Chairman, Muhammadu Yahaya, had in attendance the 19 northern governors and chairmen of the 19 states’ traditional councils. The Forum expressed concern over the escalating violence in parts of the North, including the killings and abductions recently recorded in Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa and Kano states, as well as renewed Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe.“The Forum extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to the governments and good people of the affected states,” the communiqué said, noting that the attacks on schoolchildren and other citizens had become “unacceptable tragedies” that required urgent collective action.It commended President Bola Tinubu for what it described as the Federal Government’s “firm response” to recent abductions and insurgency threats, especially the rescue of some abducted pupils.The governors also saluted security agencies for their sacrifices on the frontlines.“We resolved to renew our support for every step taken by the President and Commander-in-Chief to take the fight to insurgents’ enclaves in order to end the criminality,” the Forum stated.A major highlight of the meeting was the North’s renewed push for the establishment of state police, with governors and traditional rulers insisting that decentralised policing had become inevitable.“The Forum reaffirms its wholehearted support and commitment to the establishment of state police,” the communiqué added, urging federal and state lawmakers from the region to “expedite action for its actualisation.”On illegal mining, the governors said criminal mining networks were fuelling violence and providing resources for armed groups.As a corrective measure, they asked Tinubu to direct the Minister of Solid Minerals to impose a six-month suspension of mining activities in order to allow for a full audit and revalidation of licences.“The Forum observed that illegal mining has become a major contributory factor to the security crises in Northern Nigeria. “We strongly recommend a suspension of mining exploration for six months to allow proper audit and to arrest the menace of artisanal illegal mining,” it said.To strengthen the fight against insecurity, the governors also announced the creation of a regional Security Trust Fund.Under the proposed arrangement, each state and its local governments will contribute ₦1bn monthly, to be deducted at source under an agreed framework.They said the fund would help provide sustainable financing for joint operations, intelligence-driven interventions and coordinated security responses across the region.At the end of the meeting, the Forum reaffirmed its commitment to unity and collective responsibility.“Only through unity, peer review and cooperation can we overcome the pressing challenges before us,” it declared.The Forum agreed to reconvene on a date to be announced.Meanwhile, Nigeria’s worsening security crisis took a grim turn on Monday as bandits launched fresh attacks in Kano State, abducting 25 villagers, even as the Federal Government raced to secure the release of more than 300 Catholic school children kidnapped in Niger State.In the early hours of Monday, armed bandits invaded Unguwar Tsamiya—popularly called Dabawa—in Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State, whisking away nine men and two women after shooting into the air and assaulting residents. The attackers also rustled two cows.A resident lamented the community’s helplessness: “We cannot do otherwise; most of us cannot leave because we have nowhere to go. This is our place, our land and everything is here.”The assault came less than 24 hours after a similar attack on Yan Kamaye in Tsanyawa LGA, a community along the volatile Katsina border.In Niger State, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has assured distraught families of St. Mary’s Co-Education School, Kontagora that the more than 300 students and staff abducted on November 21 will return home “soon.” Ribadu, who led a high-level federal delegation to the school on Monday, said the abductees are safe, though he offered no specifics on their location or the status of rescue operations.According to Daniel Atori, spokesman for the Catholic bishop overseeing the school, the NSA reassured officials: “The children are where they are and will come back safely.”The St. Mary’s attack is part of a worrying resurgence of mass kidnappings reminiscent of the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction. Security analysts warn that banditry has evolved into a “structured, profit-seeking industry,” with hundreds of Nigerians abducted in November alone.The Kontagora school abduction occurred the same week 25 girls were kidnapped in Kebbi State—victims who authorities say have since been rescued through “non-kinetic” means. About 50 of the St. Mary’s hostages have also managed to escape.Ribadu’s delegation, which included the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), reaffirmed the government’s commitment to securing the freedom of all abducted citizens.As communities from Kano to Niger continue to bear the brunt of these violent incursions, the escalating spate of kidnappings underscores the urgent national demand for a more decisive and coordinated security response.
By David Torough, Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said former Attorney‑General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, will face a team of interrogators at its office daily throughout December.A credible source in the EFCC said on Monday that the daily appearance was part of an ongoing investigation into the whereabouts of an alleged 490 million dollars Abacha loot secured through a Mutual Legal Assistance (MLAT) request.
The source said that Malami, who was summoned for interrogation by the EFCC on Saturday, was barred from leaving Nigeria for the next one month.According to the source, one of the conditions for his release on Saturday was that he should report daily to the EFCC Headquarters in Abuja for further interrogation.The source said Malami would have to appear daily at the anti-graft office due to the volume of the investigation and the seriousness of the charges against him.”We seized his passport, it is the normal routine during investigation, but he has to report at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja every day for the next month.”He will be reporting for further investigation throughout December.”He will be reporting every day, starting from Dec. 1st to Dec. 31st.He will appear before the team of investigators for the entire month of December.”He will be reporting to EFCC for investigation for the period because of the volume of the investigation and the seriousness of the charges against him,” the source added.According to the source, a fact sheet on the former minister revealed that Malami had several issues to clarify with the EFCC within the coming weeks.“We have asked him to explain the whereabouts of the $490 million Abacha loot secured through MLAT.“We didn’t say he stole money, but he should account for the loot. This is one of the issues he will clarify to our investigators.”The commission cited the large volume of documents he must review and the need for extensive interviews as reasons for seizing his passport.The source said EFCC would not engage in a war of words but would release its findings after a thorough investigation.Malami, in a statement by his media aide, Mohammed Doka, on Monday in Abuja, however, described the EFCC investigation as a political witch‑hunt.He confirmed he honored an EFCC invitation on Nov. 28, describing the engagement as fruitful and expressing confidence that the probe would vindicate him.Malami described the EFCC’s allegations as baseless, illogical and devoid of substance, insisting they collapse under factual scrutiny.
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