Senator Elisha Abbo says he is not guilty to the assault charge against him.
The senator representing Adamawa state in the National Assembly was arraigned yesterday at the Magistrates’ Court in Zuba, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for allegedly assaulting a nursing mother at an adult toy shop in Abuja.
The offence, which borders on criminal force and assault, is contrary to sections 263 and 264 of Penal Code law.
Elisha, who dressed in lilac native dress, mounted the dock at 2.55 p.m and pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge against him.
The senator smiled throughout the proceedings and was also seen taking selfie with people.
The prosecution counsel James Idachaba told the court that the police had not concluded their investigation into the matter.
The lawyer requested for more time.
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He asked the court for an adjournment to enable the investigators conclude their probe of the allegation and open their case.
The defence counsel Adegbite Isaac Adeniyi prayed the court to grant his client bail on self-recognisance as a serving senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Adeniyi, who argued that the defendant would not jump bail, promised that he will always be present to face his trial.
The lawyer added that he would not interfere with the investigation.
“He is a public figure and will not commit any offence. He will also not destroy any evidence that the prosecutor may have against him,” Adeniyi said.
He noted that the alleged offence is bailable and that if Abbo was granted bail, it would not undermine the purpose of the criminal prosecution.
In his ruling on the bail application, Magistrate Abdullahi Ilellah admitted that Abbo’s alleged offence is bailable and that the purpose of granting a bail is to grant the defendant time to face his trial.
He granted the defendant bail at N5 million with two sureties who must have verifiable addresses within the FCT.
The magistrate adjourned the matter till July 22.
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