Elisha Abbo should be punished for assault, despite apology - SAN

Jibrin Okutepa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has called for the prosecution of Senator Elisha Ishaku Abbo for criminal misconduct, despite his apology.

The eminent lawyer said the wrong signal would be sent that Abbo is above the law, if he is not punished for assaulting a woman.


He said: “As a lawyer trained to defend and prosecute offenders, the apologies of this senator constitute an admission of criminal act, and he should be charged and duly tried. Our criminal law has been violated. 

“The defendant has confessed. He must be punished for that criminal misconduct for it to serve as deterrent to others. Our humanity has been degraded. Will the apologies atone for the criminal conduct of battery and assault he repeatedly meted out to the woman?

“I think this senator is playing on the emotional intelligence of Nigerians. Nigerians, being who we are, easily forgive and forget wrongs done to us. That is why our society remains backward. The absence of sanctions is what makes this great country live in poverty in the mist of abundant resources.

“How can a man in his right senses slap a woman and hope to get away with it because he thinks Nigerians are quick to forgive? The criminal justice system will be suffering injustice and ridicule, if this man is not prosecuted. The senator must also pay compensation to the lady he assaulted.

“Apologies, though accepted, are not enough to atone for the show of shame and criminality displayed in the video,” the SAN said.