A former senator representing Adamawa North, Ishaku Elisha Abbo, was on Wednesday arraigned before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Gwagwalada, over an alleged rape of a 13-year-old schoolgirl.
Abbo and a second defendant were charged in a criminal case filed by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP). Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all counts and were subsequently granted bail by the court.
The case, marked CR/635/25: Inspector-General of Police v. Senator Ishaku Elisha Abbo & Anor, is being heard before Justice I. Mohammed of the FCT High Court, Gwagwalada.
At the commencement of proceedings, the court confirmed it was properly constituted and that all parties were present.
J. B. Anzaku appeared for the prosecution; M. J. Numa, SAN, represented the first defendant, Senator Abbo; Sunusi Musa, SAN, appeared for the second defendant; K. O. Otumala and Dahiru Ibrahim announced appearances to watch brief for the nominal complainant.
Counsel to the first defendant objected to the appearance of counsel watching brief, arguing that the practice was unusual in courts of superior record. Justice Mohammed cautioned the defence against “making a mountain out of an anthill” and directed that relevant judicial authorities be cited if the objection was to be pursued.
After the charges were read in open court, both defendants entered pleas of not guilty.
Defence counsel then applied for bail on behalf of their clients. Although the prosecution filed counter-affidavits, it did not oppose the bail applications. The defence, however, raised concerns over late service of the prosecution’s processes.
Following arguments from both sides, the court stood the matter down briefly and later delivered its rulings.
Justice Mohammed granted bail to Senator Abbo in the sum of ₦50 million, with two sureties of good repute, and ordered him to surrender his international passport. The second defendant was granted ₦40 million bail, also with two sureties.
The case was adjourned to February 11, 2026, for hearing.
Recall that the police filed multiple criminal charges against Abbo, bordering on rape and sexual assault of a minor, following investigations that reportedly found sufficient evidence to proceed to trial.
Abbo, who represented Adamawa North Senatorial District until an appellate court sacked him in October 2023, has previously been involved in high-profile assault cases, including a 2019 incident for which a court awarded damages against him.