The legal team representing Stephen Abuwatseye, the Bolt driver who was assaulted by House of Reps member Alex Ikwechegh, has officially withdrawn its services.
Deji Adeyanju & Partners, along with Zainab M. Otega Esq, made the decision to step down from the case, citing the need to protect their professional integrity.
In a statement titled “Public Statement on the Alleged Assault of Mr. Stephen Abuwatseye: Withdrawal of Legal Representation,” the lawyers explained: “We wish to formally announce the withdrawal of our legal representation in the case involving the alleged assault of Mr. Stephen Abuwatseye.
“On October 28, 2024, Mr. Stephen Abuwatseye came to our law firm in visible distress, seeking redress over an alleged assault. After verifying his claim, we took steps to protect Mr. Abuwatseye’s rights on a pro bono basis, which led to the arraignment of the alleged assaulter.
“However, in light of recent developments and after careful consideration, we have decided to withdraw our legal representation in order to safeguard our professional integrity and maintain the highest ethical standards in the legal profession.
“We wish Mr. Stephen Abuwatseye the best, and we assure the general public of our ongoing commitment to protecting the rights of the oppressed and indigent members of society.”
Indeed, #Apologize is trending on X because Abuwatseye has apologized to the politician. In the trending video, the driver also prayed for Ikwechegh who had slapped him repeatedly in an earlier video.
It may be recalled that Rep member Alexander Mascot Ikwechegh (representing the Aba North and South Federal Constituency under the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA), brutalized the Bolt delivery rider, threatened to “lock him inside his generator house” and “make him disappear and nothing will happen.”
The bizarre event started when the delivery person got to the lawmaker’s house in Maitama, saw him outside, and asked him if he was the person expecting a delivery.
Ikwechegh ignored the driver, who then called the phone number he was given and the honorable’s phone rang.
He picked his call and started shouting at the Bolt driver, accusing him of disrespecting him, after which he proceeded to assault him.
The incident generated public interest and the lawmaker was forced to apologise on the floor of the National Assembly. His colleagues also constituted a panel to probe the cause of the embarrassing encounter between the lawmaker and the Bolt driver.
In a sudden turn of events, however, a video surfaced online featuring the assaulted Bolt driver who has opted to apologise to his nemesis.
See the video:
Joseph Da Poet
