The Nigeria Police has cleared former senator Elisha Abbo of an alleged rape accusation made against him in 2025, citing the absence of evidence required to establish the offence.
The allegation followed a petition submitted in September 2025 to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) by Zainab Mohammed, who accused Mr Abbo of raping Khadija Mohammed at his residence in Katampe Extension, Abuja, on June 29, 2025.
A confidential investigation report dated October 23, 2025 and signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Rita Oyintare of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), stated that the essential elements needed to prove rape were lacking.
The report was the outcome of an investigation ordered by the IGP and carried out by four specialised units: the FCID Gender Unit, the National Cybercrime Centre, the Intelligence Tactical Unit and the Police Medical Unit.
According to the report, the alleged incident was said to have occurred between 2pm and 4pm on June 29, 2025.
However, the case was not reported to the police until September 15, 2025, nearly three months later.
Investigators noted that the delay affected the ability to establish the offence.
“After an extensive investigation in this case, it was discovered that the essential elements of this offence are lacking as a result of the time frame between the date of the commission of the alleged offence and the time it was reported for police investigation,” the report stated.
The police said a search warrant was executed and the alleged crime scene examined on October 3, 2025, but no evidence supporting the allegation was found.
“All ingredients to support the offence were not seen probably because of the time frame from June 29, 2025 to October 3, 2025,” the report added.
Medical findings also formed part of the police conclusion.
The report disclosed that Khadija Mohammed was taken to Deda Hospital on July 10, 2025, where a medical examination conducted on July 11 showed that her hymen was intact.
“The medical report from Deda Hospital dated July 11, 2025 indicates that the survivor’s hymen was not breached, meaning the alleged victim is still a virgin as of July 10, 2025, about 11 days after the alleged rape,” the police stated.
Screening tests for hepatitis B and C, syphilis and HIV were also reported as negative.
Investigators further noted that a mobile phone allegedly containing evidence was not submitted for forensic analysis and was later flashed, erasing potential data.
Witness accounts were also cited in the report.
Patience Jesse, identified as the security personnel who opened the gate on the day of the alleged incident, said no rape occurred.
The report stated that only Abbo, the security personnel and Nafisa Mohammed were present in the house at the time and all denied that any sexual assault took place.
Police also disclosed that Abbo had earlier accused Khadija Mohammed and Nafisa Mohammed Chigli of stealing his wife’s gold jewellery, a complaint he reported at the Dawaki Police Station on July 16, 2025.
Despite clearing Abbo, the police suggested that the matter be tested in court.
“Nevertheless, there is a need to test this case in court of law as this will go a long way to satisfy the curiosity of the society,” the report stated.
It recommended that the case file be forwarded to the Legal and Prosecution Department for advice.
Reacting to the police findings, Abbo declined detailed comment, saying he would leave the matter to divine judgement.
“God will expose all evil plans against me and reward the doers according to their deeds,” he said.
Elisha Abbo represented Adamawa North Senatorial District in the ninth Senate.
The rape allegation attracted public attention in 2025 and prompted the IGP to order a multi-unit investigation before the police reached their conclusion.
