A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh was on Wednesday arraigned before an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court sitting at Kuje for allegedly assaulting a bolt driver at his Abuja residence.
Ikwechegh, who is representing Aba North and South federal constituency at the National Assembly, pleaded not guilty to a First Information Report that the Nigerian Police Force entered against him before the court.
The charge against the defendant bordered on abuse of office, assault, and threat to life.
Upon the defendant’s plea of innocence, the prosecution counsel, Mr. A. Umar, applied for a date for full-blown hearing to commence.
But responding, counsel to the defendant made an oral application for his release on bail, pending the determination of the case.
The defence argued that the offences for which the accused is charged are bailable offences, stressing that his right to presumption of innocence was guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
Magistrate Abubakar Umar Sai’id, who was persuaded by the plea, granted the defendant’s application for bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in the like sum.
The court ordered that the sureties must not only reside within its jurisdiction but also provide their utility bills as proof of residence.
It subsequently adjourned the matter to November 8 for trial.
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