National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Chuks Peter DELTA
Deji Adeyanju and Partners, the legal team representing Stephen Abuwatseya, a Bolt driver allegedly assaulted by Alex Ikwechegh, a member of the House of Representatives, has announced its withdrawal from the case.
The development comes shortly after a video surfaced showing Abuwatseya apologizing to Ikwechegh, who allegedly slapped him for requesting him to step outside his residence in Abuja to collect a package for delivery.
In a statement released on Friday, Zainab Otega, speaking for the law firm, explained that the decision to step back was in the interest of maintaining the firm’s integrity. “We wish to formally announce the withdrawal of our legal representation in the case involving the alleged assault of Mr. Stephen Abuwatseya,” she stated. “This decision was taken after careful consideration of recent developments, as we prioritize upholding the highest ethical standards.”
The initial incident sparked public outrage, with many Nigerians condemning the lawmaker’s actions. Ikwechegh was subsequently arraigned on charges of abuse of office, assault, and threat to life, and granted bail. The court had scheduled a hearing for November 8, 2024.
Ikwechegh later issued a public apology via Instagram, expressing regret over his conduct. “My actions fell short of what is expected from a public official, regardless of any provocation,” he wrote. The lawmaker also noted that he had resolved the matter with Abuwatseya through an alternative dispute resolution process, which he described as “mutual and respectful.”
