A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gwagwalada has arraigned former Adamawa North senator, Ishaku Elisha Abbo, over allegations involving a thirteen year old schoolgirl. The case was filed by the Inspector General of Police, and Abbo was arraigned alongside another defendant.
Both men stood before Justice I Mohammed on Wednesday and entered not guilty pleas when the charges were read to them. The matter is registered as Inspector General of Police versus Senator Ishaku Elisha Abbo and another.
Prosecution counsel JB Anzaku announced appearance for the state, while Abbo was represented by senior advocate MJ Numa. The second defendant was represented by senior advocate Sunusi Musa.
Following their pleas, lawyers to the defendants filed applications for bail. The prosecution filed counter affidavits but did not oppose the request. Justice Mohammed granted Abbo bail in the sum of fifty million naira with two responsible sureties and directed that he submit his international passport to the court. The co defendant was granted bail in the sum of forty million naira. The matter was adjourned to February eleven 2026 for continuation.
The allegations stem from a complaint made by a Junior Secondary School three pupil who told investigators she had been taken to a private residence by a family acquaintance. The police say they reviewed the report and concluded there was enough evidence to bring the matter before a court of law. No physical details were shared in open court and the identity of the minor remains protected.
Abbo is not new to controversy. In 2019, he was ordered by a court to pay fifty million naira in damages after he was found to have assaulted a woman in Abuja. He has also been mentioned in previous incidents that attracted public criticism.
The Inspector General of Police has filed a nine count charge in the current case. The former senator maintains his innocence and the trial will determine the outcome based on evidence presented before the court.
