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Tag: Elisha Abbo

  • Medal for ‘slapping senator’ sparks outrage

    A few weeks after he made the headlines for slapping a lady at a sex toy shop in Abuja, Elisha Abbo, the senator representing Adamawa North, is in the news again. In spite of the outrage that greeted his action, a group that goes by the name Intercommunity Awareness for Change and Development Initiative (IACDI) thought it expedient to honour him with an award as ‘Icon of Democracy’.

    Justifying the award, IACDI’s Director, Dr. Lami Uguogho, said her organisation decided to honour the lawmaker after closely monitoring his contributions to the development of his constituency and the country at large.

    She described the young senator as an astute democrat who was focused on distribution of the dividends of democracy in spite of his prosecution for the assault on the nursing mother at the Abuja sex toy outlet.

    Uguogho described her organisation as one that recognises individuals who stand out in the nation’s governance, adding that the award was in recognition of the senator’s effort in nation-building and contribution on relevant matters affecting the masses.

    Referring to the adult shop incident while receiving the award, Abbo described it as “part of politics.” He urged the youth to learn from his experience, noting that their past misconduct could be used to blackmail them when they become somebody in the society in the future.

    He said: “I believe young people all over the world now will be learning from me, that there’s now a huge gap between wanting to be in power and being in power to deal with the challenges of politics. I believe young people will draw strength from me.

    “You’re all aware of what happened few weeks back where certain things happened and I have been in the public space. I was number one trending on the social media, Twitter and the rest of it, but that is leadership. That is politics for you.

    “Don’t be surprised what you did 10 years ago will come back to haunt you. And that is why we should always remember that even though you’re a young person now, you’ll contest election tomorrow.

    “It is therefore important for you to conduct yourself in a way that when you win election tomorrow, somebody will not use what you did 10 years ago to blackmail or tarnish your hard-earned reputation tomorrow.”

    It turned out, however, that the award presentation, which took place on July 27, has once again put the lawmaker in the public eye, with many Nigerians on the social media and commentators on news sites describing it as laughable.

    While some commentators condemned the organisers of the award as being misguided, others lashed out at Abbo for stage-managing the award to launder his image.

    Reacting to the award given to the controversial senator, Nigerian rapper and activist, Falz The Bahd Guy, described it as “shameless.”

    Falz wrote: “What kind of a joke is this man?! This is the senator that was caught on tape assaulting a woman in an adult store.

    “Icon of democracy” award? Shamelessness at the highest level. It’s actually disgusting. He should be holding a plaque that says “Biggest disgrace of the year.”

    “To the Nigerian Police, I thought this man had been charged to court. What is the status of the case?

    “To the National Assembly, What disciplinary action was taken against him? We need answers!!! This man cannot remain in the Senate!!”

    Another commentator, who identified himself simply as Nathaniel, said he agreed with Abbo that the youth could learn from him. But he added that the most honourable thing the embattled senator should do in the circumstance is step down from his seat in the upper chamber of the National Assembly.

    Nathaniel wrote: “At least, now the youth know that if you are rich, you can even get away with murder. The only way you could have conveyed a positive messages is stepping down from the honorable position you occupy and disappear never to be seen again.

    “At least now the youth know that it is okay to beat a woman and perhaps would probably get award for doing so. What a lesson! Well done!

    “Just imagine; someone that is facing clear assault charge in court is being given democracy award. What did we do wrong in this country to warrant all this?

    “It’s sad and pathetic.”

    Maizaxx wrote: “This is an insult to the youth of this country. What is it that you’ve thought us as a leader that’s worth emulating?

    “If truly we are operating a proper political system, you would have lost your seat by now, because in politics, your past will give a glimpse of your future.”

    Suleiman Alatise queried: Award? For beating up a woman in a sex toy shop? Wonderful!

    “Shame on the 9th Senate that it has not suspended you. Who among them will allow that assault on his daughter? What more evidence do you need than the CCTV footage?

    In order to promote the integrity of the House, I believe Senator Abbo should be suspended until court clears him.”

    Balogun Opeyemi tweeted: “This is a joke, right? After an assault on a defenceless woman, the next thing is an award? For what? For a job well done? Are we in a country or a prison? May God save us.

    “You trend on the social media for the wrong reason and you call that leadership?”

    Babanla on his part urged the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to find out if the organisation that gave Abbo the award is not unregistered.

    “Young Nigerians don’t need to learn from you how to slap women without any provocation. If your type is what is considered a role model, then Nigeria is better regarded as a jungle.”

    Another respondent, who identified herself as Beremx, believes the award was given the senator to cover up his bad attitude.

    “So he had to buy an award to cover up for his bad character? What a shame!” Beremx posted.

    “Did they give him the award so he could keep up the good works of assault? Chiomaansatastia wondered.

    A sarcastic respondent, Made-Great-by-Grace, urged readers to “please search the name Abbo on Google and see the first tag to it. I think he’s indeed worth learning from. Nonsense!”

  • Assault: Drama as Abbo defiant at Senate probe panel

    There was a mild drama on Tuesday at the Senate investigative hearing on the alleged assault levelled against Adamawa Senator Elisha Abbo.

    The embattled senator boasted that he was not afraid of suspension.

    The upper chamber  last week resolved to raise an ad-hoc committee to probe allegation of assault against Senator Abbo at an Abuja adult toy’s shop.

    The probe degenerated when Abbo appeared before the seven-member committee and declined to talk on the matter.

    Abbo claimed that the case for which he was being investigated was already before a court.

    The embattled senator noted that even if he wanted to speak on the mater, he would prefer to talk in camera.

    Miffed by the senator’s attitude, the  panel members said the embattled senator cannot dictate to them.

    They told him of the consequence of his action and asked him to comply, but the senator insisted that he cannot be threatened with suspension.

    He said: “I cannot talk because the matter is in court. Why should I be talking before the camera. I cannot talk.

    “I cannot be speaking before this committee because that would be subjudice since the matter under investigation is already before the court. So, why should I be facing the camera.

    A member of the committee, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, told her colleagues that the senator cannot dictate to the committee.

    She reminded Abbo that he could be suspended as a result of what transpired in the video that went viral.

    Mrs. Tinubu said: “Distinguished senators, we want to tell you that you are just joining us. We also have have a procedure.

    Read Also: Abbo pleads not guilty to assault charge

    “What we are doing, we are doing it as a legislature . Everybody deserves a fair hearing. What is going on with you, affects us as a body. That is why the Senate President constituted this committee. You can see the level and integrity of members of the committee.

    “You don’t come here and dictate to us, the procedure we are supposed to follow. You are undermining us by trying to do that. You are not even listening to us.

    “Even if we are going beyond what you expect, you can’t stop us. Do you want us to protect you, defend you or do you want to be on your own?

    Responding to Mrs. Tinubu’s comment, Abbo said: You cannot threaten me with suspension. It is not out of place for me to say am not addressing the press.

    “I came because I received a text message from the committee. I will talk to the media. I should address the committee in closed door.”

    The committee members, however, agreed that Senator Abbo should speak to the committee behind closed doors.

    Before the committee went into a closed session, Abbo said that he decided to apologize last week in order to protect the institution of the Senate.

    He added that the matter happened before he became a senator, pointing out that the incident had been overtaken by events.

    Counsel to the victim of the assault, Solola &Akpana who appeared before committee informed the panel that the victim was in the hospital.

    He claimed that they did not know when she was going to leave the hospital.

    The counsel declined to make any statement on the matter.

  • Fatoyinbo’s rape scandal, Senator Elisha Abbo’s assault, RUGA suspension, others top this week News

    This week recorded series of trending news stories across various media outlet which was made up of controversial happenings and apparently, the social media was agog drawing unending backlash, criticism and other reactions.

    In light of the recent controversies surrounding these stories, it is noteworthy to mention that social media platforms played a very important and vital role in addressing these issues.

    In a nutshell, the Biodun Fatoyinbo’s rape scandal, Senator Elisha Abbo’s assault, RUGA settlement suspension by the federal government, social media shut-down and other controversial news dominated the socio-political discourse this week. The Nation brings you a brief round-up of the major stories this week. Alao Abiodun Reports

    Biodun Fatoyinbo’s rape scandal

    The sexual allegation leveled against the senior pastor of COZA, Biodun Fatoyinbo, by Busola Dakolo, wife of Nigeria’s popular musician Timi Dakolo has continued to generate heated controversies this week.

    Busola Dakolo accused the cleric of raping her when she was still very young.

    Busola, a mother of 3, in an interview with Y!Naija, explained how Pastor Biodun allegedly tried to have sex with her in his matrimonial home when she came to assist his wife at the time she delivered her first child.

    Timi Dakolo had accused Fatoyinbo of taking advantage of women in COZA, and leaving them emotionally broken afterwards.

    Another woman, a former staff of Biodun Fatoyinbo, also came out to detail how he raped her when she worked with the church as a legal guardian to Fatoyinbo’s children in a foreign country.

    The woman who spoke anonymously in an exclusive interview with Chude Jideonwo, co-founder of Red Media said the pastor raped her in 2017.

    The flamboyant pastor trailed by murmurs of sexual impropriety and abuses of power in his conduct with his members for years, most famously in the 2013 scandal where a female member of his church revealed an affair with him.

    Fatoyinbo however announced on Monday that he would embark on a leave of absence in light of the rape allegations made against him by Busola. stepping down from his position running one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing Pentecostal churches, the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, since the allegations against him emerged last week.

    Protesters stood outside different branches of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, holding placards which read: “Thou shall not rape.”

    The combined outrage across social media created by strong, impassioned responses caused the actions to take place.

    Senator Elisha Abbo’s assault

    In another news revealed this week, Senator Elisha Abbo, lawmaker representing Adamawa-North senatorial district, was caught on camera physically assaulting a woman at an adult toy shop in Abuja.

    Abbo, who is believed to be the Nigeria’s youngest senator, was caught hitting the woman after she begged him not to assault the shop-owner whom the lawmaker accused of insulting him.

    It was gathered that the assault occurred on May 11, a month before he was sworn in on June 11.

    The assault was reported on May 14 at the Maitama Area Command Headquarters on Nile Street, but the police told the victim to go look for the Senator’s telephone number or they would not be able to do anything about it, Premium Times reports.

    According to witnesses and sources, Abbo had entered the shop at about 6:00 p.m. on May 11, a Saturday accompanied by three young women to purchase adult toys.

    However, shortly after they began shopping for the toys, one of the three girls brought in by Mr Abbo started throwing up.

    She vomited multiple times, prompting the shop-owner to remark that the woman should have vomited outside and not inside her shop, especially since she was not a child.

    The senator, who was said to be agitated by the sudden illness of one of his girls, was said to have accused the shop-owner of poisoning the store’s air conditioner.

    The shopowner’s argument that if the air conditioner had been contaminated others in the shop would have also taken ill further angered Mr Abbo.

    It was gathered that the assaulted woman, who is nursing a child, was taken to a hospital, where she was treated for eye inflammation and other injuries she sustained during the attack.

    Senator Abba was reported to have threatened to deal with the shop owner if the footage of his violence ever surfaced.

    The victim and her lawyer were said to have demanded an apology from Mr Abbo. They also want him to settle the medical bill and desist from further threats of physical harm against the woman.

    However, he has apologized saying he had learned from the incident and pleaded for forgiveness from the Senate, his family and citizens who might have been offended by his actions.

    “It is therefore with deep sense of remorse and responsibility that, I, Sen. Elisha Abbo, profoundly apologize to all Nigerians, the Senate, the People’s Democratic Party, my friends as well as our mothers, the Nigerian women,” he said in the video.

    RUGA settlement suspension

    As reactions continue to trail the suspension of RUGA settlement, President Muhammadu Buhari has succumbed to pressure on Wednesday by suspending the controversial Ruga settlement scheme, designed to settle the Fulani and their cattle on acquired land across states in the federation.

    The suspension was announced in Abuja after governors representing the six geopolitical zones of the country met with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The Chairman of the National Committee on Food Security/Herders/Farmers Conflicts and Governor of Ebonyi State, Mr Dave Umahi, disclosed the government’s decision to journalists after the meeting.

    Besides Umahi, others at the meeting included Plateau State Governor, Mr Simon Lalong; Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu; and the Deputy Governor of Adamawa State, Mr Martins Nasir.

    Umahi explained that the controversial Ruga policy was not consistent with the National Livestock Transformation Plan, which was earlier deliberated upon and approved by the National Economic Council. Osinbajo is the Chairman of the NEC.

    Controversy had trailed the project since it was announced in June. While some governors welcomed it, others had said it could lead to more attacks on communities.

    Wole Soyinka, Nobel laureate, had also opposed the policy, saying it could spark off an explosion.

    Social media shutdown

    On Wednesday, there was a worldwide social media shutdown which raised fears in the mind of the users.

    Online monitoring service DownDetector reported that the outage began at around 1200 GMT on Wednesday and affected Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

    According to DownDetector, thousands of users around the world were reporting outages, with Europe and North America most impacted. Individual users and businesses were affected.

    #Facebookdown and #Instagramdown trended on Twitter as users around the world reported these apps were not functioning.

    Supreme court upholds election of Osun governor

    The supreme court has upheld the victory of Gboyega Oyetola, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Osun governorship election.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Oyetola winner of the election after a rerun in September 2018.

    Dissatisfied with INEC’s declaration, Ademola Adeleke, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, filed a petition at the tribunal and he was declared winner of the election but Oyetola appealed the verdict of the tribunal.

    In May, the appeal court gave judgement in favour of the APC candidate. The court had set aside the entire proceedings of the tribunal, saying the panel was not well constituted.

    Delivering the majority judgement on Friday, Bode Rhodes-Vivour, a judge, held that the appeal court was right to set aside the entire proceedings of the tribunal.

    Rhodes-Vivour said the failure of J. Obiora, a member of tribunal, to attend proceedings on February 6 rendered the judgement a “nullity.”

    The judge also said the certified true copy (CTC) was not signed by Obiora.

    “It affected the proceedings. The appeal is dismissed,” he said.

    Giving the minority judgement, Kumai Akaas, a member of the apex court’s panel, said a judge does not have to sign a certified true copy (CTC) of a judgement before it is valid.

    “There is a precedence. The judge does not need to sign CTC of the judgement,” he said.

    Five of the seven judges on the apex court panel agreed with the judgement which favoured Oyetola while two disagreed.

  • ‘Senator Abbo should be made to face full extent of the law’

    The National Chairman of the Association of Speed Limiter Vendors of Nigeria (ASLON), Mr. Adekunle Oyegoke, has joined ranks with the majority of voices calling for the arrest and prosecution of the Senator representing Adamawa North District in the National Assembly, Elisha Abbo, for assaulting a lady in an adult toy shop in Abuja.

    Adekunle who spoke with our correspondent in a phone interview said that Senator Abbo should be prosecuted and made to face the full extent of the law for his despicable action.

    Abbo in the viral video on Tuesday was seen descending on a woman and slapping her multiple times in the presence of a Police officer; the event we are made to believe happened sometimes in May this year.

    The video has since stirred controversy online and widespread agitations and demonstrations on the streets.

    According to him, “It breaks my heart that power that is supposed to be used to defend the weak and defenseless is the same power used to crucify them. Regardless of what happens, a man should not raise his hands on a woman.

    Read Also: Breaking: Senate begins probe of Senator Abbo over alleged assault

    “Senator Elisha Abbo should ask himself if his mother insulted him or said the same thing the lady said in the heat of argument, will he react the same way?

    “No matter what the woman might have done or said, the true test of leadership is in composure and comportment, asides integrity and competence.

    “I say NO to violence against women. This is also a misrepresentation of the youths to think that a man that claims he is the beacon of hope is a threat to it is sickening and makes the younger generation look incapable of leadership.”

    He further added, “I commend the Senate for setting up a committee to investigate the matter and I hope regardless of the outcome, he will be made to apologise publicly for raising his hands against a woman.

    “As Nigerians, we must consistently lend our voices to drown every act of violence (whether domestic or otherwise) in our dear nation Nigeria.”

    Adekunle Oyegoke @aooyegoke is also the CEO of Gifted Driving Services and Motor Solution Ltd, and is among the outspoken young leaders in the country.