Abuja court arraigns ex-Senator Elisha Abbo over alleged rape of minor, grants ₦50m bail

Olu AdeyemiJanuary 15, 2026

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An FCT High Court sitting in Gwagwalada, Abuja, on Wednesday arraigned a former senator representing Adamawa North, Ishaku Elisha Abbo, over allegations involving a 13-year-old schoolgirl.

Abbo and a co-defendant were charged by the Inspector-General of Police in a criminal case marked CR/635/25, which is being heard before Justice I. Mohammed in Court 50 of the FCT High Court.

At the commencement of proceedings, prosecution counsel J.B. Anzaku announced his appearance for the state, while Abbo was represented by M.J. Numa, SAN. The co-defendant was represented by Sunusi Musa, SAN.

When the charges were read in court, both defendants pleaded not guilty. Defence counsel subsequently filed bail applications on behalf of their clients. Although the prosecution submitted counter-affidavits, it did not oppose the applications for bail.

In his ruling, Justice Mohammed granted Abbo bail in the sum of ₦50 million, with two sureties of good repute.

The court also ordered the former senator to surrender his international passport to the court. The co-defendant was granted bail in the sum of ₦40 million under similar conditions.

The matter was adjourned till February 11, 2026, for the continuation of the trial.

The charges stem from a complaint filed by a Junior Secondary School 3 student, who alleged that she was approached at her home by a family acquaintance and persuaded to accompany them to another residence, where the alleged offence occurred. Investigators say preliminary findings indicate sufficient evidence to proceed to trial.

Abbo has previously faced public scrutiny. In 2019, he was fined ₦50 million by a court for assaulting a woman in Abuja, while he has also been linked to allegations of a violent attack on a former aide in Mubi, Adamawa State.

The police legal team filed nine counts against Abbo, including charges relating to offences involving a minor.