Former senator who represented Adamawa North Senatorial District, Ishaku Elisha Abbo, has been cleared of an alleged rape involving a minor, following an investigation by the Nigeria Police Force.
The police announced Abbo’s exoneration on Sunday, stating that investigations found no credible evidence to substantiate the allegation.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the police said the former lawmaker was cleared after a comprehensive investigation ordered by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), following a petition submitted in 2025.
Abbo had been accused through a petition written by Mrs. Zainab Mohammed and addressed to the IGP in September 2025, alleging that he raped Khadija Mohammed at his residence in Katampe Extension, Abuja, on Sunday, 29 June 2025.
According to the police, upon receipt of the petition, four specialised units were mandated to investigate the allegation. These included the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Gender Unit, the National Cybercrime Centre, the Intelligence Tactical Unit, and the Medical Unit.
In an investigation report signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Oki Rita Oyintare of the FCID and dated 23 October 2025, the police concluded that the essential elements of the alleged offence were lacking.
“After an extensive investigation in this case, it was discovered that the essential elements of the offence are lacking due to the time frame between the alleged date of commission and the time the matter was reported for investigation,” the report stated.
The report noted that a search warrant was executed at the senator’s residence on 3 October 2025, but no incriminating evidence was found.
“The scene of crime/execution of search warrant was conducted on 3rd October 2025, but unfortunately, all ingredients to support the offence were not seen, probably due to the time lapse between 29th June 2025 and 3rd October 2025,” it added.
Investigators further disclosed that the alleged survivor was taken to Deda Hospital by her parents on 10 July 2025, while the matter was formally reported to the police on 15 September 2025.
According to the medical report from Deda Hospital dated 11 July 2025, the survivor’s hymen was not breached.
“The medical report indicates that the survivor was still a virgin as of 10th July 2025, approximately 11 days after the alleged incident,” the police said.
The report also stated that although the complainant allegedly attempted to preserve documents from a mobile phone belonging to Nafisa Mohammed, the device was not submitted for forensic examination and was later flashed, making data recovery impossible.
Investigators further noted that Patience Jesse, who reportedly opened the door for Nafisa and Khadija on the day of the alleged incident, did not witness any act of rape.
According to the police, the alleged incident was said to have occurred between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. at Abbo’s Katampe residence, where only three persons were present at the time.
“The security personnel at the gate, Patience Jesse, Nafisa Mohammed, and Senator Ishaku Elisha Abbo were the only persons present during the visit. All three denied that any rape occurred,” the report stated.
The police also disclosed that Abbo had earlier accused Khadija Mohammed and Nafisa Mohammed Chigli of stealing his wife’s gold jewellery on 30 June 2025, a complaint he reportedly lodged at the Dawaki Police Station on 16 July 2025.
Additionally, medical screening tests conducted for hepatitis B and C, syphilis, and HIV reportedly returned negative results. The police said no incriminating materials were found during the execution of the search warrant at Abbo’s residence.