Police Exonerate Former Sen. Abbo in Alleged Rape Case: Investigation Finds No Credible Evidence

By Emmanuel Kwada 

The Nigeria Police Force has officially cleared former Senator Ishaku Elisha Abbo, who represented Adamawa North Senatorial District, of rape allegations following an extensive investigation that concluded there was insufficient credible evidence to support the claims.

The case stemmed from a petition filed in September 2025 by Mrs. Zainab Mohammed, the mother of the alleged victim, Khadija Mohammed.

The petition, addressed to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), accused the former senator of raping her daughter at his residence in Katampe Extension, Abuja, on Sunday, June 29, 2025.

In response to the serious accusation, the IGP directed a multi-unit probe involving four specialized teams: the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Gender Unit, the National Cyber Crime Centre, the Intelligence Tactical Unit (ITU), and the Medical Unit.

The thorough investigation spanned several months, including forensic examinations, witness interviews, scene-of-crime analysis, and medical reviews.

A key investigation report, signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Oki Rita Oyintare of the FCID and dated October 23, 2025, outlined the findings that ultimately exonerated Senator Abbo. The report highlighted several critical factors that undermined the allegation:

1. The significant time lapse between the alleged incident (June 29, 2025) and the official police report (September 15, 2025), as well as the delayed medical examination (July 10, 2025) and scene-of-crime visit (October 3, 2025), meant crucial evidence could not be preserved or verified.
2. A medical report from Deda Hospital, dated July 11, 2025, indicated that the alleged victim’s hymen remained intact approximately 11 days after the claimed assault, and tests for sexually transmitted infections (including HIV, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis) returned negative results.
3. No incriminating evidence was discovered during the police search of the senator’s residence and premises on October 3, 2025.
4. Witness statements from individuals present at the house on the day in question—including the security man at the gate, Patience Jesse (who opened the door for the visitors), Nafisa Mohammed (accompanying the alleged victim), and Senator Abbo himself—consistently denied that any rape occurred.
5. Additional context emerged regarding a counter-accusation by Senator Abbo on June 30, 2025, alleging that Khadija Mohammed and Nafisa Mohammed Chigli had stolen his wife’s gold jewelry. He formally reported the theft to Dawaki Police Station on July 16, 2025.
6. Efforts to recover potential digital evidence from a phone were unsuccessful, as the device had reportedly been “flashed” (reset), erasing any relevant data.

Despite these conclusions, which stated that “the essential elements of this offence are lacking,” the police recommended that the matter be forwarded to court “to satisfy public curiosity.”

Legal experts have expressed divided opinions on this recommendation. Barrister Abel Ozioko, a lawyer and public commentator, criticized the move, arguing that pursuing a court case where key elements of the offense could not be established would turn the judiciary into “a circus show” for public entertainment rather than a forum for justice.

Barrister Eli Yakubu, while agreeing that the evidence was insufficient, suggested that proceeding to court could ultimately benefit Senator Abbo by allowing a formal judicial clearance, given that the police investigation has been closed.

When contacted for comments, Senator Ishaku Elisha Abbo declined to offer detailed remarks, stating simply: “I have no comments because God is the rewarder of good or evil deeds. God will expose all evil plans against him and reward them according to their deeds.”

The development brings a measure of resolution to a highly publicized case that drew significant attention amid the former senator’s controversial political history.

The police clearance underscores the challenges in prosecuting delayed sexual assault reports where timely evidence collection is critical.