Former Adamawa North Senator, Elisha Abbo, has denied reports linking him to the alleged rape of a 13-year-old schoolgirl, dismissing the claims as a political witch-hunt.
Media outlets reported on Thursday that the embattled lawmaker was being held at the Nigeria Police Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja over allegations he assaulted a minor in June 2025.
But in a swift reaction on Friday, Abbo insisted he was never in police custody and described the reports as “baseless, unfounded, and mischievous.” Speaking to journalists by phone, the ex-lawmaker maintained he was at his Abuja residence in Katampe on the day he was allegedly arrested.
“The report is the handiwork of my political detractors. It is an orchestrated smear campaign to disturb my peace,” Abbo said.
He further disclosed that he had recently petitioned the police against what he called a “female money monger” who allegedly demanded ₦5 million from him. According to Abbo, both parties were invited for questioning weeks ago, but he was shocked to see the narrative twisted into a rape scandal.
Online speculations also alleged that Senator Aishatu Binani, former Adamawa governorship candidate, visited the family of the alleged victim to dissuade them from pursuing the case. The girl’s parents claimed Abbo attempted to silence them with repeated cash offers.
This latest controversy adds to the troubled political record of the 42-year-old senator. In 2019, he faced national outrage after a viral video showed him assaulting a woman in a sex toy shop in Abuja. He has also been accused in the past of attempting to blackmail a married woman with an alleged sex tape.
With yet another scandal clouding his name, Abbo’s political career remains mired in controversy and public scrutiny.