Deji Adeyanju & Partners, the law firm of rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju, has withdrawn its representation of e-hailing cab driver based in Abuja Stephen Abuwatseye.
Mr Abuwatseye has been in the news after clashing with a member of the House of Representatives Alex Ikwechegh on October 27 following disagreement on the mode of delivery of a package.
Following a viral video where Ikwechegh allegedly threatened and assaulted the driver, the lawmaker was on October 30 arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Kuje, Abuja on three counts of abuse of office, threat to life and assault. He was granted bail of N500,000.
However, in a video that went viral on Thursday, Abuwatseye expressed “regret” for provoking Ikwechegh and asked Nigerians for forgiveness. He also urged everyone to move on from the incident.
He stated, “Good day, Nigerians. My name is Stephen Abuwatseye. I had a misunderstanding with Rt. Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh a few days ago. I actually want to apologise to him for whatever I must have said or done to provoke him to that level of anger.
“I want to tell Nigerians that it’s not time for us to start dividing ourselves based on religion, tribes, or regions. We should actually come together, see how we can unite this nation, and move it forward.
“Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive and forget, as it’s even contained in our Lord’s Prayer, that ‘Lord, please forgive us, as we forgive those who trespass against us.’ For there is no justice without forgiveness. Thank you very much.”
The driver’s public apology forced his team of lawyers to “announce the withdrawal of our legal representation in the case involving the alleged assault of Mr Stephen Abuwatseye”.
In a statement on Friday, the law firm said the Bolt driver walked into their office, “visibly distressed and sought redress over an alleged assault.”
The statement signed by Zainab Otega reads: “However, in view of recent developments and after careful consideration, we have made the decision to withdraw our legal representation in other to protect our professional integrity and maintain the highest ethical standard in the legal profession.
“We wish Mr. Stephen Abuwatseye the very best, while we assure the general public of our continuous commitment towards protecting the rights of the oppressed and indigent members of the society.”
