TechPression

Author: Adefemola Akintade

  • Starlink Nigeria suspends new orders, locks horns with NCC over price increment

    Starlink Nigeria suspends new orders, locks horns with NCC over price increment

    Starlink Nigeria has placed new orders for Residential Internet kits on hold to force the hand of the Nigerian regulators to approve a price increase that had been previously reversed.

    In October, Starlink, owned by tech mogul Elon Musk, reviewed prices for its product offerings by a staggering 97 percent. But the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) reversed the increment the following day, asserting that Starlink never received a go-ahead to change their prices.

    Consequently, the commission initiated a pre-enforcement action against the Internet Service Provider.

    Read also: Starlink suspends price hike in Nigeria over ‘regulatory challenges’

    “We’re committed to providing high-speed internet in Nigeria and are working closely with regulators to make adjustments that will improve the customer experience,” Starlink Nigeria stated in a message to prospective customers on Tuesday. “Until these changes are approved, we are placing new Residential orders on hold,” the statement added.

    Suspension as strategy to cower NCC

    The suspension is deemed a calculated strategy to cower the NCC into allowing Starlink to increase the price of its product offerings, an approval that other telecom operators like MTN and Airtel have unsuccessfully tried for years to obtain.

    The NCC has repeatedly resisted attempts by the telecom operators to significantly increase call and data rates. MTN said the company was running at a loss given their prices have not been altered to reflect skyrocketing inflation, subsidy-free fuel cost to run their facility and the naira’s helpless fall all of which beset the nation as it battles its worst economic crisis.

    When Starlink Nigeria initially announced a price review, there were loud whispers that the government favoured Elon Musk’s Starlink over indigenous and existing telecoms operators who have long clamoured for the same price hike. But NCC shutdown the rumours with the pre-enforcement action that stopped Starlink from proceeding with the hike. 

    MTN Chief Financial Officer Modupe Kadri in October appealed to the government to reconsider its stance on the price  increase, due to the high inflation and currency fluctuation.

    Read also: Starlink suspends new kit sales in Malawi

    “For 10 years now, telecommunication companies haven’t been permitted to increase prices, and this regulation is not providing us with a level playing field to operate,” Mr Kadri said.

    MTN Nigeria’s CEO, Karl Toriola,  warned that without an adjustment, it risks shutting down operations.

    However, the operator recorded a significant overall loss of N514.9 billion for the nine-month period, mainly due to substantial foreign exchange (FX) losses, offsetting the Q3 profit.

    Starlink pauses sales in Malawi after regulators opposed price hike

    In an all too similar yet separate matter, Starlink announced halting sales of new kits in Malawi tentatively until after the regulators approve the price increment. Starlink, has paused the sale of certain business subscriptions and new residential subscriptions in Malawi. The suspension comes after a proposal to raise the subscription fee to reflect the depreciated Malawian Kwacha was rejected by the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA).

  • Airtel-UNICEF partnership brings Internet to 100 schools in Zambia

    Airtel-UNICEF partnership brings Internet to 100 schools in Zambia

    Airtel and UNICEF are making significant strides in transforming the educational landscape in Zambia, having connected 100 schools to the Internet as part of their ongoing partnership. Launched in January, the partnership seeks to improve access to quality education through digital connectivity, bringing new opportunities for both students and teachers across the country.

    The partnership aimed to attain or at the very least “progress the fourth sustainable development goal, ‘education for all’,” UNICEF stated in January.

    Expanding Digital Access Across Zambia

    The partnership seeks to close Zambia’s digital gap by connecting schools in urban and remote areas to the Internet.

    Read more: IHS Nigeria and UNICEF launch a digital impact initiative

    Given Zambia is a nation beset by limited Internet connectivity, the partnership is deemed a major step forward as it will furnish the students  with vast educational resources, including e-learning platforms, academic content, and interactive tools that enhance their learning experience.

    Empowering teachers and students through UNICEF’s Learning Passport

    Central to the initiative is the Learning Passport, an innovative digital platform developed by UNICEF. The platform provides free access to quality educational content for children and young people, including videos, lesson plans, and interactive exercises. Students will be able to learn at their own pace, making use of a range of digital resources that were previously unavailable to many.

    Airtel-UNICEF partnership brings Internet to 100 schools in Zambia

    The Learning Passport aims to give all learners, including those in rural and underserved communities, access to the same educational opportunities. 

    Additionally, the platform is designed to be inclusive, with features that cater to students with disabilities, ensuring they are not excluded from the digital learning revolution.

    Read more: Why computer programming should be for all students

    Airtel and UNICEF in Zambia, in conjunction with the Zambian Ministry of Education, recently conducted a blended learning training session for 50 educators from 50 schools across the Eastern, Lusaka and Southern Provinces. In this training, participants were acquainted with the digital Learning Passport and optimised the routers supplied to their respective institutions.

     Also, the impact of vandalism and its impact on this project was acknowledged during the program. In the inauguration, Dr Brenda Musanya, a representative from the Ministry of Education’s Directorate of Open and Distance Learning (DODE), urged educators to protect the routers diligently and to maximise the training opportunity by posing numerous enquiries to facilitate connectivity for the designated schools.

  • Vandalism crisis in Nigeria, South Africa paralyses telecoms and power sectors

    Vandalism crisis in Nigeria, South Africa paralyses telecoms and power sectors

    The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on October 18 announced that two transmission towers had been vandalised, throwing 17 northern states in total darkness, which crippled essential services, including healthcare and technology, across affected areas.

    States like Kano, Kaduna, Gombe, Plateau, Katsina and so on were among those impacted, marking the first time an entire region experienced total power cuts due to the unchecked criminal activities of vandals who destroyed the 330kV Shiroro–Kaduna transmission lines.  

    “Investigations reveal that this is not a case of routine damage but a deliberate act of vandalism,”  TCN spokesperson Ndidi Mbah said in October. “We are working closely with security operatives to secure the area, which has been identified as vulnerable to banditry, posing risks to our infrastructure and personnel.”

    It took the intervention of Presidential Bola Tinubu, deploying troops to safeguard engineers and technicians while conducting repairs on the towers before a partial restoration was possible.

    Despite government assurances that the outage will be fixed by November 12, the damage to Nigeria’s telecoms infrastructure and power sector has been severe. Dr Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), revealed that telecom companies were losing billions of naira due to increasing cases of vandalism, fibre cuts, and equipment theft.

    MTN Nigeria recorded over 6,000 cuts on its fibre cable and was forced to relocate 500 kilometres of vulnerable fibre cables between 2022 and 2023. 

    Similarly, Airtel Nigeria CEO Carl Cruz noted that the company experiences an average of 1000 cases of fibre cut every month, culminating in significant internet outages, including a nationwide disruption recorded in March, which left customers unable to make calls, let alone access the internet.

    Read also: Kano Digital Innovation Park burned and looted by protesters

    South Africa faces similar crisis as telecoms lose billions

    The challenge of power vandalism is not unique to Nigeria, as South Africa is also grappling with a rise in infrastructure theft and vandalism.

    The Economic Sabotage of Critical Infrastructure Forum, comprising Telkom, Eskom, Prasa, and Transnet, estimates that copper theft alone costs the country R7 billion ($373 million) every year, with a total economic impact of these crimes nearing R187 billion ($9.9 billion). 

    Between July 2017 and December 2023, Telkom facilitated the arrest of 3,003 individuals in connection with cable theft. Vodacom, another major telecom provider,  disclosed that it incurs yearly losses of around R100 million due to battery theft and infrastructure damage at its cell towers.

    Industry stakeholders blamed the crimes on several factors which include organised crime and syndicates, opportunistic local criminals and youth-driven theft. They also identified the role of scrap metal dealers in stealing copper wires and batteries to resell.

    Read also: #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria: 150 computers, other items stolen from Kano Digital Park – Minister Bosun Tijani

    It is believed that organised crime networks deliberately target telecom infrastructure, concentrating on copper wires, backup generators and backup batteries located at cellular tower sites or base stations.

    Amid incessant power outages and “load shedding”, the demand for backup or alternative sources of power has risen sharply, making the stolen batteries and copper wires extremely valuable and sought after.

    Impact of vandalism on Africa’s leading tech nations

    Nigeria and South Africa, two countries that are at the forefront of African telecommunications and technological development, continue to struggle with infrastructure vandalism without a clear solution in view. This begs the question:  For how long will these companies bear huge financial losses before reassessing their investments and service strategies?

     

  • Visa backs African fintech startups OkHi, Oze, Orda and Workpay with $1 billion

    Visa backs African fintech startups OkHi, Oze, Orda and Workpay with $1 billion

    The growing push for financial inclusion in Africa has attracted another major investment. Visa, world’s second-largest card payment processor, on November 5 committed $1 billion to four fintech startups to promote innovation, service accessibility and the expansion of fintech services across the continent. The enormous investment demonstrates Visa’s confidence in Africa’s financial potential to generate substantial returns. 

    The four companies are OkHi, an innovative startup utilising AI for address verification services; Oze, a Ghanaian business banking platform; Orda, a Nigerian startup focused on restaurant technology solutions; and WorkPay, a Kenyan HR and payroll administration company. 

    They emerged as the lucky four out of the 23 businesses that participated in Visa’s Africa Fintech Accelerator program, which began  in June 2023.

    OkHi, Oze, Orda and Workpay were deemed strategic and could leverage technology to enhance financial inclusion both in their local market and across the continent.

    Visa’s Accelerator Program: Empowering Startups Across Africa

    According to the card payment firm, the Accelerator Program “was created to help startups unlock their growth potential and scale across the Asia Pacific region, by collaborating on joint solutions that address the biggest opportunities in digital payments.” 

    It is semi-annual and has continually given participants mentorship opportunities and technology credits for the past four years. This support is focused on providing businesses with an opportunity to pitch to potential investors on the Demo Day. 

    Visa has highlighted areas of interest, including Embedded Finance, Artificial Intelligence (AI)/ Generative AI, Global Money Movement, Digital Acceptance for MSMBs, and Loyalty of the Future. 

    Read also: Visa supports four African startups to boost financial inclusion

    By supporting early-stage fintechs, Visa is working to bridge the gap for millions in Africa who lack access to formal banking services. The selected startups will receive tailored mentorship, access to the firm’s global network, and the tech tools necessary to scale their innovative solutions. The investment underscores Visa’s belief in the transformative potential of fintech to build resilient, inclusive economies and demonstrates its dedication to Africa’s digital future.

    “These investments mark a substantial step for Visa – we are once again standing behind our commitment to innovation in Africa, helping to shape the future of digital payments alongside some of the brightest fintech minds that the continent has to offer,” said Godfrey Sullivan, Senior Vice President of Products, Partnerships, and Digital Solutions.

    Read also: EFTCorp, Visa announce 5-year partnership to expand digital payments across Africa

    Businesses that have benefited from this program include Curlec, Cymonz, Kadmos, Transpure, Doxa, Digitsecure, and others. The current cohort comprises diverse businesses, including iFarmer, Opplane, iPiD, Quqo, and others.

    Although the application window for the 2024 cohort is now closed, the firm encouraged fintech startups across Africa to check their website regularly for future opportunities. Businesses interested in participating in subsequent rounds can apply via Visa’s website.

    Read also: FirstBank’s 6th fintech summit: A platform for innovation and strategic partnerships

    For the startups, the investment represents more than just capital. WorkPay’s Co-Founder and CEO, Paul Kimani, noted: “We are happy to have Visa in our corner. As a trusted leader in digital payments, Visa’s support pushes us toward our goal of delivering innovative solutions and streamlining backend processes for all.”

     

  • Safaricom records KES 17.5 billion loss as Ethiopian birr depreciates

    Safaricom records KES 17.5 billion loss as Ethiopian birr depreciates

    Safaricom’s profit in Ethiopia plunged by 17.7 percent to KES 28.1 billion, down from KES 34.1 billion, according to the company’s half-year financial report released on Thursday.

    As one of Africa’s leading telecom operators,  the decline in profit for the half-year that ended September 30, 2024 was largely attributed to the depreciation of the Ethiopian birr, a currency that lost 15.5 percent of its value on the global market within the year.

    Despite the setback in Ethiopia, Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa emphasised the company’s overall performance was strong, particularly in Kenya. He highlighted Safaricom’s excellent success in the Kenyan market and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to providing value to its customers.

    “Our business is fantastic with the show of real, strong momentum in Kenya,” Mr Ndegwa said, adding that “we are proud of the value we have been able to offer to our customers.”

    Ethiopian birr’s impact

    The report estimated the depreciation of the Ethiopian birr to have impacted Safaricom by  about KES 17.5 billion, a figure that has prompted the company to reassess its obligations and available options, while taking into account foreign denominated debts and leasing contracts. 

    While Safaricom faced challenges in Ethiopia, its operations in Kenya thrived with revenue growth across multiple sectors. For instance, mobile services rose in revenue from KES 90.8 billion to KES 91.3 billion, while M-PESA, Safaricom’s mobile money platform, recorded an increase from KES 73.7 billion to KES 77.2 billion. 

    Read also: Safaricom denies releasing customers’ data to the police

    African tech companies bear brunt of  continent’s financial challenges 

    This report comes at a time when many tech companies in Africa were facing their worst financial crisis. Last week, Jumia reported an operating loss of $20 million in Q3 2024, a 10 percent increase in loss from the $18.3million recorded for the same period in 2023. 

    A significant number of African technology firms including Wasoko, Dash, Sendy, Jumia, iProcure, and Twiga Foods have struggled with funds to keep their companies afloat.

    Industry watchers continue to debate whether the struggles signify deeper challenges in the African tech ecosystem or just a typical business experience.

    Read also: Jumia reports $20m Q3 operating loss amid revenue decline

  • “I’m human” House of Reps member apologises for assaulting Bolt driver

    “I’m human” House of Reps member apologises for assaulting Bolt driver

    House of Representatives member Alex Ikwechegh on Tuesday tendered an apology over his violent conduct towards a Bolt driver, describing himself as one who is “human’ and “infallible.”

    Hours after footage of him slapping the Bolt driver went viral and sparked a backlash among internet users who accused the legislator of misusing his position and oppressing regular citizens, Mr Ikwechegh issued an apology in a statement he read at the National Assembly Complex on Tuesday.

    Mr Ikwechegh said he “deeply regrets” his actions.

    “What began as a misunderstanding escalated into actions and remarks I deeply regret, which do not reflect the values and character I strive to uphold, both as a citizen and as a representative of the people,” he said on Tuesday. 

    “I sincerely apologise for my words and actions during this incident. I recognise the distress and frustration this has caused Citizen Abuwatseya, his family, and the public at large. As a public servant, I understand the weight of my role and how my words can impact others,” the lawmaker said.

    Mr Ikwechegh said as a human who is infallible, he was bound to make mistakes but that he was already seeking ways to resolve the dispute.

    “While I am human and not infallible, I remain accountable for my actions. Citizen Abuwatseya and I have explored alternative dispute resolution methods to address this issue and have reached a respectful resolution, which I am committed to following through.”

    Read also: Reps “monitoring” report on assault incident involving Alex Ikwechegh and Bolt driver 

    Alex Ikwechegh apologises to police chief, Kayode Egbetokun 

    Mr Ikwechegh also apologised to Inspector- General of Police Kayode Egbetokun whose position he bragged with, to intimidate the Bolt driver. He had implied during the altercation that he was not going to be prosecuted because of a presumed connection between his position as a lawmaker and the police chief. 

    “I extend my heartfelt apologies to the Inspector General of Police, recognising the unintended disparagement my remarks may have caused to his person, his office, and the entire institution. I reaffirm my respect for the Nigerian Police Force and the Inspector General’s commitment to maintaining law and order,” Mr Ikwechegh walked back his words in the letter.

    He apologised to his colleagues in the House of Representatives for bringing disrepute to the revered office of the legislator.

    “I extend my sincere apologies to the leadership and members of this House and the National Assembly as a whole for any deficit in goodwill this incident may have caused. I am aware that my actions reflect not only on myself but also on this esteemed institution and the trust that the public places in us.”

    Read also: Nigerian lawmaker Alex Ikwechegh assaults Bolt driver, threatens to make him “disappear” in viral video

    Why Nigerian lawmaker gave thunderous slaps to Bolt driver

    In the viral video, Mr Ikwechegh had struck the Bolt driver across the cheek repeatedly and made boast of his political influence, adding that he could get away with assaulting the driver.

    He hurled insults and threats on the driver for refusing to enter his house to deliver the food package. The driver instead parked his vehicle in front of Mr Ikwechegh’s residence and called him to pick up.

    “Do you know who I am? I just slapped you and there’s nothing you will do. My name is Honourable Alex Ikwechegh, tell them (public) I slapped you. Call the Inspector General of Police that I slapped you, let him come. Record me very well,” he bragged.

    “You will not get a penny from me with this level of disrespect. You will suffer, I will deal with you,” he continued threatening the Bolt driver.

    Still, Nigerians remained unmoved by the lawmaker’s words asserting he only apologised because he got caught. Majority of netizens demand his prosecution to deter powerful figures from toeing the same path of assaulting regular citizens.

    Meanwhile, Stephen Abuwatseya -the Bolt driver- already filed a petition through his legal counsel Marvin Omorogbe of Deji Adeyanju & Partners law firm on October 28, asking the IGP Egbetokun to investigate and prosecute the lawmaker for threat against his life.

     

  • Bolt driver files petitions against Nigerian lawmaker for assault, threat of “disappearing”

    Bolt driver files petitions against Nigerian lawmaker for assault, threat of “disappearing”

    Stephen Abuwatseya, driver of Bolt ride-hailing app, on Monday petitioned the Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to urgently investigate lawmaker Alex Ikwechegh’s threat to make him “disappear.”

    Mr Abuwatseya filed the petition through his legal counsel Marvin Omorogbe of Deji Adeyanju & Partners law firm on October 28, hours after a viral video showed Mr Ikwechegh assaulting the Bolt driver and threatening to make him “disappear.” The lawmaker boasted that he knew the police IG and implied that there would be no prosecution, should he commit the act.

    Read also: Reps “monitoring” report on assault incident involving Alex Ikwechegh and Bolt driver 

    Delivery dispute escalates into full-blown assault

    In the petition, the driver explained that he received a request to deliver a food package to a residence in Maitama Sunday night.

    Upon arriving at the destination, the Nigerian legislator asked him to bring the food package inside his home but the driver declined in line with Bolt rules and policies,  the petition stated.

    “Regrettably, upon getting to Hon Ikwechegh’s residence, he requested that our client bring the food into his premises, contrary to the laid down policies regulating bolt drivers in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja,” The petition added. “Our client politely refused the request and urged Hon. Ikwechegh to send someone to pick up the food outside the gate, as is customary with delivery services.”

    Mr Abuwatseya’s refusal to take the food into the house earned him multiple slaps from Mr Ikwechegh who also tore his outfit for what he perceived as disrespect. The lawmaker insisted that he would not pay delivery fee for the package. 

    “In response to our client’s refusal to take the food into the premises, Hon. Ikwechegh physically assaulted our client, tore his clothes, threatened to make him “disappear” from Nigeria and repeatedly dared our client to call the Inspector General of Police, while threatening that nothing will happen to him,” Mr Omorogbe detailed in the petition. 

    Mr Abuwatseya said he was not ready to take chances with his life given the high level of kidnappings and disappearance that the nation often recorded.

    He urged Inspector-General  Egbetokun to immediately look into the claims and prosecute the lawmaker.

    “At a time when several Nigerians are increasingly being subjected to enforced disappearance by state and non-state actors, we particularly find Hon. Ikwechegh’s threat to cause our client’s disappearance as a national issue that deserves immediate investigation,” the petition stated. 

    The Bolt driver in his petition said he was “detained at the Maitama Police Station and his car seized by the Investigative Police Officer” following the instructions of the lawmaker.

    “As a serving member of the Federal House of Representatives, whose primary duties include making laws for the safety of Nigerians, we find Hon Ikwechegh’s actions were totally distasteful and a threat to our client’s safety,” the petition stressed to intensify calls for Mr Ikwechegh’s prosecution.

    The petition has sparked debates over holding elected officials to account and raised questions about the influence of high-profile figures within the police force.

  • Reps “monitoring” report on assault incident involving Alex Ikwechegh and Bolt driver 

    Reps “monitoring” report on assault incident involving Alex Ikwechegh and Bolt driver 

    The House of Representatives has announced that it is actively “monitoring media reports” regarding an incident involving lawmaker Alex Ikwechegh (APGA, Abia), who is accused of assaulting a Bolt driver, Stephen Abuwatseya. 

    This incident, which occurred on Sunday evening, has sparked widespread public interest and concern, especially after a video of the altercation went viral.

    Akin Rotimi, spokesperson for the House, stated that the Assembly holds its members to the highest ethical standards both privately and publicly.

    “The House of Representatives is monitoring media reports concerning an alleged incident involving Rep. Alex Ikwechegh (APGA, Abia),” Mr Rotimi said in a statement Monday evening. “These reports, which have garnered widespread media coverage and public attention, detail accusations of a physical confrontation with an e-hailing driver, Citizen Stephen Abuwatseya, and the use of threatening language.”

    Read also: Nigerian lawmaker Alex Ikwechegh assaults Bolt driver, threatens to make him “disappear” in viral video

    House of Reps’ reaction

    Mr Rotimi said the House takes the issue of assault and threats “very seriously” but that it would allow the police to run investigationson the matter.

    “The 10th Assembly, House of Representatives, takes these allegations very seriously. As elected officials, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of ethical conduct and accountability in our official engagements and privately,” the House spokesperson stated.

    Mr Rotimi emphasised that any behaviour falling short of these standards is a “matter of  concer.” The House pledged to address such issues with the “utmost seriousness,” to reaffirm its stance on maintaining integrity within its ranks.

    Mr Rotimi appealed to the public to exercise restraint and remain calm while waiting for the police to conclude their investigations without interference.

    “We are aware that the matter is now before the Nigeria Police, and we urge the public to allow the due process of investigation to unfold,” Mr Rotimi said.

    Spokesperson for the House of Reps asked concerned citizens to engage him further  on the matter via email, akintunde.rotimi@nass.gov.ng and also at akinrotimi@gmail.com .

    Read also: Kenyan ride-hailing drivers demand fair pay

    Overview of the assault

    Legislator Ikwechegh was seen in the video bellowing threats to the young Bolt driver, querying him repeatedly if he knew who he was. Having slapped Stephen Abuwatseya twice across the cheek, Mr Ikwechegh dared him to report to IGP Kayode Egbetokun and bragged that hd would not be prosecute 

    “Do you know who I am? I just slapped you and there’s nothing you will do. My name is Honourable Alex Ikwechegh, tell them (public) I slapped you. Call the Inspector General of Police that I slapped you, let him come. Record me very well,” he bragged.

    After the video went viral on Monday, police invited Mr Ikwechegh for questioning while netizens continue to troll the lawmaker across various social media platforms including X and Instagram.

    The public’s response underscores the demand for accountability from elected officials and the importance of ethical behaviour in public service.

  • Alex Ikwechegh in police custody for slapping, threatening to make Bolt driver “disappear”

    Alex Ikwechegh in police custody for slapping, threatening to make Bolt driver “disappear”

    The Nigerian Police on Monday confirmed that House of Representatives member Alex Ikwechegh was in custody over a viral video that showed him assaulting the driver of an e-hailing app, Bolt and threatening to make him “disappear.”

    A statement by FCT police spokesperson Josephine Adeh said Mr Ikwechegh was undergoing questioning to shed light on the events that led to the assault and threat.

    “Currently, the suspect is at the Maitama Police Station undergoing questioning,” SP Adeh said Monday afternoon. “Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Olatunji Disu, has mandated a thorough investigation into the matter.”

    Read also: Uber Eats introduces new safety measures to protect delivery partners from theft, violence in South Africa

    Bolt driver Abuwatseya’s ordeal in the hands of Hon Alex Ikwechegh

    The lawmaker was seen bellowing threats in the video captured by the driver, Stephen Abuwatseya and boasting that he had the wherewithal to make him disappear without prosecution. At issue was the Bolt driver’s refusal to enter the lawmaker’s residence to deliver a package. Mr Ikwechegh was furious that the driver asked him to come out of his house in the elite neighbourhood of Maitama to receive his package.

    He called the snail vendor who sent his package using the Bolt app to report Mr Abuwatseya and inform.her of his decision to withhold delivery payment.

    “How can this stupid idiot come to me and tell me that I am supposed to come and meet him in his car and pick up a snail I am buying from you? I can make this man disappear in the whole of Nigeria and nothing will happen.” the lawmaker screamed into his phone with the vendor on the other end.

    Mr Ikwechegh further made statements to suggest that the Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun would let him off the hook, if the Bolt driver escalated the assault to law enforcement.

    “Do you know who I am? I just slapped you and there’s nothing you will do. My name is Honourable Alex Ikwechegh, tell them (public) I slapped you. Call the Inspector General of Police that I slapped you, let him come. Record me very well,” he bragged.

    The lawmaker insisted that he would not pay the delivery fee and threatened to make the Bolt driver disappear in Nigeria and bragged that there would be no consequences.

    “Do you know who I am? I can make this man (driver) disappear in the whole of Nigeria and nothing will happen, bellowed Mr Ikwechegh. “Can you imagine this rat? I am not going to give this boy one naira of my money.”

    “You will not get a penny from me with this level of disrespect. You will suffer, I will deal with you,” he continued threatening the Bolt driver.

    Read also: Advancly and Bolt Nigeria team up to offer drivers credit access

    Police finds Alex Ikwechegh’s IGP comments “troubling”

    The police condemned Mr Ikwechegh’s reference to the police, stating that it reeked of a “troubling disregard for the authority of law enforcement.”

    “The FCT Police Command expresses grave concern over Hon. Ikwegh’s dismissive attitude toward the office of the Inspector General of Police following the incident. After allegedly slapping the victim, he reportedly remarked with contempt, ‘You can go ahead and call the Inspector General of Police,’ demonstrating a troubling disregard for the authority of law enforcement,” SP Adeh noted in her statement.

    She stressed that the FCT Police Command would conduct a thorough and impartial investigation to determine justice was duly served.

    “The Command is committed to conducting an impartial investigation and ensuring justice in all cases,” she stressed. “Upon completion of the investigation, appropriate legal action will be taken.”

  • Nigerian lawmaker Alex Ikwechegh assaults Bolt driver, threatens to make him “disappear” in viral video

    Nigerian lawmaker Alex Ikwechegh assaults Bolt driver, threatens to make him “disappear” in viral video

    Alex Ikwechegh, a member of the House of Representatives, on Sunday, slapped a Bolt driver more than two times, called him a “monkey” among other insults and threatened to make him “disappear” over a grouse that was captured in footage that has now gone viral.

    Stephen Abuwatseya had arrived at Mr Ikwechegh’s residence in Maitama, Abuja to deliver a package when the recipient (the lawmaker) asked him to come inside his house to drop the package but the driver declined.

    Mr Ikwechegh became furious over what he considered disrespect and refused to pay for delivery, according to the Bolt’s driver’s account of the matter. He came out of his compound to assault the Bolt driver, hurling all forms of insults at the man.

    The video, captured by Mr Abuwatseya, showed the legislator charging at him and hitting him severally across the face. Unperturbed that he was being filmed, Mr Ikwechegh asked the lawmaker to show the footage to the Inspector General of Police, claiming that no action would be taken against him.

    Read also: Advancly and Bolt Nigeria team up to offer drivers credit access

    He further threatened to make him disappear.

    “Do you know who I am? I can make this man (driver) disappear in the whole of Nigeria and nothing will happen, bellowed Mr Ikwechegh. “Can you imagine this rat? I am not going to give this boy one naira of my money.”

    Mr Ikwechegh said he will not instruct his police aides to beat up the man as he would rather do that by himself.

    “I am not going to call my policemen to beat you up, I will do that myself. I will show that I am a big brother to you, tie you up, lie you down and put you in my generator house. Do you know where you are? Because you saw me sitting outside here. Look at this monkey,” the lawmaker said as he rained insults on the Bolt driver.

    The legislator representing Aba North & South Federal Constituency and member of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) party admitted to slapping the driver and dared him to retaliate.

    “Do you know who I am? I just slapped you and there’s nothing you will do. My name is Honourable Alex Ikwechegh, tell them (public) I slapped you. Call the Inspector General of Police that I slapped you, let him come. Record me very well,” he bragged.

    The matter has since been escalated to the police and a statement by FCT Police spokesperson said the security office will take a decisive action about the assault.

    The incident underscores the challenges faced by drivers of e-hailing apps like Bolt, Uber and In-Drive on a day-to-day basis.

    Read also: Uber Eats introduces new safety measures to protect delivery partners from theft, violence in South Africa

    The tribunal judgement that sacked Nnamani and favoured Alex Ikwechegh 

    Mr Ikwechegh acceded to the legislator position shortly after Justice Adeyinka Aderibigbe of the National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal sacked Emeka Nnamani of Labour Party over allegations of certificate forgery and ordered that the candidate (Mr Ikwechegh) with the second highest votes replace him at the lower chambers. 

    The judgement, which paved the way for Mr Ikwechegh’s rise to the House of Representatives, was issued in September 2023.