RAPE ALLEGATION: POLICE CLEAR SENATOR ELISHA ABBO, ORDER LEGAL REVIEW, SAY CASE SHOULD BE TESTED IN COURT

Sahara Reporters has taken to it’s official X handle and announced that, after months of intense public scrutiny, media debate, and legal controversy, the Nigeria Police Force has officially cleared former Senator Ishaku Elisha Abbo of allegations bordering on rape, defilement, sexual exploitation, conspiracy, threat to life, and abuse, citing insufficient and inconclusive evidence to sustain the claims.
The decision followed a thorough, multi-layered investigation conducted by specialised units of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Gender Affairs, DCP Oki Rita Emesim Oyintare.
The allegations were initially raised by Mrs. Zainab Mohammed and Fatima Mohammed, with Miss Khadija Mohammed, a minor, identified as the alleged survivor. The petition was formally submitted to the Inspector-General of Police on September 15, 2025, accusing Senator Abbo of an alleged assault said to have occurred on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at his Katampe Extension residence in Abuja.
INSIDE THE POLICE INVESTIGATION
According to the confidential investigation report dated October 23, 2025, Khadija Mohammed was taken to Senator Abbo’s residence by Nafisa Mohammed Chigli, a friend of her elder sister. At the time of the visit, investigators confirmed that only a security guard, Patience Jesse Vandi, and Senator Abbo were present in the house, which belongs to his third wife, who was reportedly away.
A search of the residence and the execution of a court-approved warrant on October 3, 2025, yielded no incriminating physical evidence, a development the police attributed largely to the long delay between the alleged incident and the commencement of investigations.
Medical findings also proved conflicting. A report from Deda Hospital, dated July 11, 2025, indicated that the minor’s hymen was intact and that screenings for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, and syphilis returned negative results. However, a subsequent report from the Police Hospital, dated September 30, 2025, stated that the hymen had been breached. Investigators noted that the discrepancy may be linked to the time gap between both examinations.
DIGITAL FORENSICS AND WITNESS ACCOUNTS
The report further revealed that a mobile phone believed to contain crucial evidence was initially seized by the complainant but was not promptly handed over to the police. By the time it was eventually submitted, the device had been flashed, erasing potentially relevant data.
Forensic analysis of four mobile phones, including Senator Abbo’s Tecno Spark 40, uncovered over 4,200 documents, but none contained messages, images, or communication linking the Senator to the alleged offence. Only adult images sourced from the internet were found. Phones belonging to other key individuals also produced no corroborating evidence.
Crucially, witness statements failed to support the allegation. The gatekeeper on duty on the day in question stated she did not witness any sexual assault, while other testimonies contradicted the claims made in the petition.
Investigators also noted that prior to the rape allegation, Senator Abbo had filed a complaint at Dawaki Police Station on July 16, 2025, accusing Khadija Mohammed and Nafisa Mohammed of stealing his wife’s gold jewellery. Allegations of earlier sexual misconduct involving Fatima Mohammed in 2023 were similarly found to be unsubstantiated.
The police further observed that the conduct of the alleged survivor after the incident — including organising a birthday party and appearing cheerful in videos — did not indicate visible distress, though investigators acknowledged that trauma responses can vary.
POLICE VERDICT AND NEXT STEPS
In its conclusion, the police stated:
“After an extensive investigation, it was discovered that the essential elements of the alleged offence are lacking, largely due to the time frame between the date of the alleged incident and when it was reported.”
However, the Force emphasized that public confidence in justice remains paramount, adding:
“There is a need to test this case in a court of law, as this will go a long way in satisfying the curiosity of society.”
Accordingly, the case file has been forwarded to the Legal and Prosecution Department for vetting and formal legal advice, leaving the final determination to the courts.
The report was duly signed by DCP Oki Rita Emesim Oyintare, FCID Abuja.
BACKGROUND TO THE CONTROVERSY
On November 10, 2025, online media platform SaharaReporters reported that Senator Abbo had been charged with rape and sexual assault following allegations by a 13-year-old girl. A nine-count charge was subsequently filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory over the alleged June 29 incident.
The minor had accused the former senator of forceful sexual assault, threats, and intimidation. Senator Abbo consistently denied the allegations, insisting the visit to his residence was brief, accusing the complainants of theft, and stating that he sent ₦50,000 to the minor for ice cream.
A CASE STILL UNDER PUBLIC WATCH
While the police investigation has cleared Senator Abbo of criminal culpability at this stage, the Force’s recommendation for judicial review underscores the sensitivity, gravity, and public interest surrounding the case—one that continues to draw national attention as it moves to the next legal phase.