Senator Elisha Abbo
Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has detained Senator Elisha Abbo who was caught on camera allegedly assaulting a nursing mother at an adult toy shop in Abuja.
In a telephone interview, the FCT Police Commissioner, Mr Bala Ciroma, confirmed to Channels Television that the Senator is being detained to enable detectives complete investigation on the alleged assault.
Abbo who represents Adamawa North Senatorial District was spotted in an adult toy shop in a video exclusively released by Premium Times on Monday.
He was seen hitting a woman after she pleaded with him not to physically assault the shop owner whom he accused of insulting him. The viral video immediately sparked outrage with many Nigerians calling for his prosecution and urging the Senate to also discipline him.
The arrest came on the heels of a public apology by the senator who at a press conference, expressed regrets for his actions. Below, is the text of Abbo’s apology yesterday (Wednesday) in a statement in Abuja:
“It is with a deep sense of remorse and responsibility that I, Senator Ishaku Abbo (SIA) profoundly apologize to all Nigerians, the Senate, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), my family, friends as well as our mothers – the Nigerian women.”
“I personally apologize to Bibra and her family for my action towards her, which has brought immense discomfort in our body polity.”
“I have never been known or associated with such actions in the past. Regardless of what transpired prior to my expression of anger, I am sincerely sorry and plead that all men and women of good conscience should have the heart to forgive me. To err is human, to forgive is divine.”
“To the Church of God everywhere in the world, I am sorry. As an Ambassador of Christ, much is expected of me.”
“My family and religious upbringing do not give approval to such conduct and for this, as a leader, I seek forgiveness before God and all those who feel offended by my action.”
“Indeed, this episode has taught me a very great lesson both as a private citizen and a public officer, particularly as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria upon whom public confidence is bestowed.”
“Finally, I assure Nigerians, especially the people of Adamawa North of my good conduct at all times.”
“Thank you and God bless.”
Senator Ishaku Abbo (SIA)
Adamawa North
More revelations follow:
More controversy have however trailed the apology and arrest of Senator Abbo with a Facebook user, Vivian Mma Odimma revealing how the embattled senator abused her late relative who was his former wife and who allegedly died from the abuse. Her story:
“The man called Sinator Elisha Abbo representing Adamawa North senatorial district is a natural woman beater.
Read him ” I have never been known or associated with such actions in the past” With all due respect sir, Senator Abboh is well known to be woman beater and a molester. Unfortunately, he got married to my late cousin Mrs Uchenna Ojukwu of blessed memory. This so called Senator was abusing, molesting and beaten up my Sister and sometimes he will lock her inside the room for 3 to 4 days without food and she was dying in silence without telling anyone. The pains and agony she passed through with this man led to her sickness and to my utmost dismay, he abandoned her in Lagos hospital when we’re looking for 11 Million to fly her abroad. By the time this money was raised through the town big men and other family members, she couldn’t make it again for the treatment and she died 2013 and was buried 5 November 2013. He is a beast in his kind and only God can forgive him. May God continue to expose him the more”.
Another victim, Tayo-diam Olumuyiwa Owolabi-Atobatele is also accusing Abbo of assault and refusal to pay his agreed contract fee after hiring him as a publicist for a primary election in the past. Already, a social media handle with the hashtag: #Justice4Muyiwa, has been launched on Facebook to share the story of the latest victim who is accusing the embattled senator. Below, is the story of the experience of Tayo-diam Olumuyiwa Owolabi-Atobatele as told by the victim himself on the social media handle:
“The viral video of senator Elisha cliff ishiaku Abbo assaulting a young lady isn’t a new thing to me. As I was one of his victim of assault years back precisely October 14, 2014, after the gubernatorial election of former governor, Fayose.
I met him during the electioneering campaign of Former Gov. Of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose, while I was the official photojournalist to Fayose during the electioneering campaign and head of photojournalist to his deputy after the election.
I moved with him immediately after the election to work with him in Osun state governorship campaign of Senator Iyiola Omisore, while I head his (sen. Elisha cliff Abbo) media team in july 2015.
I had a contract of #2.8million naira with him, to work as a media personnel to him, to cover all his movement for the election and for his campaign as senator, in Mubi North, under APC in 2015.
On August 13, 2015, I traveled with him to Yola Adamawa State, from Abuja by air and we lodged at Lelewa hotel for weeks while campaigning for the primary election.
We traveled from Adamawa to Mubi, Vintim muchala back to mubi and later to Yola after he lost the Senatorial ticket.
In preparation for the inauguration of Former Governor of Ekiti state Gov. Fayose, in October 2016, I decided to come back to Ekiti in other to attend his inauguration being his official photojournalist during the campaign.
On approaching Sen. Ishiaku of the contract agreement we had together, he refused to pay. Despite so many persuasion in other for him to just give me part of my money, he refused to attend to me. On the faithful day we wanted to travel together to Mubi for the last campaign, but Bokoharam invaded Mubi prior to the day we ought to have travel. Due to the invasion of Bokoharam I began to plead with him that I needed to leave the state.
It was around 5pm that I have been waiting for him to attend to me, after series of text messages and calls, in which he refused to attend to me, I was force to go and seat at the doorstep of his room waiting for the time he would come out at Dansoho Hotel in Yola.
As soon as he came out, I began to plead with him that I have to go, the next thing he said is that I was embarrassing him, he leaped on me and started beating and slapping me. To the extent of telling his orderly to put me inside the pickup. He told them to cock the gun at me that he will kill me and tell people am a member of Bokoharam.
When I heard that statement I was shocked because I don’t know anybody there and I can’t speak their language fluently. No one could come to my rescue as everybody was just dumbfounded at the way he brutalised me and broke my ankle.
I was begging him to just leave me and let me go that I will leave the money for him because of his action.
That very night at around 2am. I was driven along quiet area telling his orderly that they should shoot me if I dear shout again. On that fateful night, one of his orderly begged that they should take me to Police station.
I was driven to kaliwa police division at that the dead of the night.
He broke my phone I couldn’t contact anybody he tore my cloth and naked me.
That very night. On getting to kaliwa police station, I begged the IPO to please let me use his phone to talk to one of my family. That was how I called one of my brother that pleaded with the IPO to assist me out of the situation.
The DPO came the following morning and begged him to give me transport fare to go back to meet my family.
Till date, he didn’t pay me the money.
I plead with Nigerians to confirm my story and help me to get my money and Justice.
I’m not surprised to see the video of how he assaulted the lady, he’s a narcissist…. Tayo-diam Olumuyiwa Owolabi-Atobatele”
