Sex Toy Shop Assault: Court Dismisses Suit Against Senator Abbo

A Magistrate Court in Zuba on the outskirts of Abuja has dismissed the case of assault instituted by the Nigeria Police Force against the lawmaker representing Adamawa-North, Senator Elisha Abbo.

Although there is a viral video showing Senator Abbo assaulting a woman, Osimibibra Warmate; and a televised press conference in which the lawmaker apologised to the victim, the court dismissed the suit for lack of diligent prosecution by the police.

In his ruling on no case submission filed by the lawmaker, the magistrate, Abdullahi Ilelah said, “The evidence and exhibits tendered do not disclose a prima facie case of the alleged crime of criminal force and assault against the Senator.”

He held that the video of the press conference showing Senator Abbo apologising was not tantamount to an admission of guilt as it wasn’t a confessional statement.

Ilelah said the testimony of the victim was “weak because the allegation has not been substantiated in any material particular”.

The court said the police did not do a proper investigation as it relied solely on the statement of the victim.

He said the court would rely on the law and not logic or media reports because he who alleges must prove.

“The defendant is hereby discharged under Section 303(3)(c) and (d) of the ACJA 2015,” the magistrate ruled.