Nigeria Newspapers Online

The House of Representatives has directed its Committee on Ethics and Privileges to investigate a member, Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, over allegations of assault on an e-hailing driver.

This followed the adoption of a motion on a Matter of Privilege Pursuant to Order 6 of the House Rule, moved by the House Leader, Prof Julius Ihonvbere at plenary.

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Ihonvbere while raising a matter of privilege, drew the attention of the House to the trending video and report over the encounter between a member and a Bolt driver.

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The House Leader informed the parliament that over the last few hours, he had been inundated with calls and messages from across the country over the case of alleged assault by Rep Ikwechegh against a Bolt driver.

He said as Leader of the House, he has the responsibility to protect the collective image and integrity of the parliament.

Ihonvbere said the action of the member of the House as captured in the trending video did not reflect the image and culture of the House.

He said as members of the House Representatives from diverse backgrounds, they have built their reputations overtime before coming to the parliament and that the action of the lawmaker impugned on the collective integrity and image of the House.

Ihonvbere said Order 5 (E) of the House Rule stipulated how the matter at hand should be handled and therefore, moved that the matter be referred to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges to investigate and report to the House for further legislative actions.

The motion was unanimously adopted when it was put to a voice vote by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu who presided over the plenary.

Kalu, while ruling on the motion, mandated the Committee on Ethics and Privileges to investigate the matter and report back within two weeks.