Senator Abbo to pay N50m for slapping woman in sex toy shop
By Emmanuel Awosika
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered Senator Abbo Elisha (Adamawa North) who allegedly slapped a woman, Osimibibra Warmate, at a sex toy shop in May 11, 2019 to pay N50m in damages.
According to the facts of the case, Senator Abbo had entered a sex toy shop accompanied by three other adults to buy sex toys.
While in the shop, he had gotten into a heated argument with the shop owner. A friend of the shop owner present had tried to intervene but was slapped repeatedly by the Senator.
Premium Times had obtained a CCTV coverage of the incident and published it online. The Senator’s actions drew the ire of Nigerians, with many condemning his actions.
Abbo issued a public apology for his assault on the woman some days after the incident, saying his actions “did not portray him as a good ambassador of the Senate, the PDP and the youths of Nigeria.”
“My family and religious upbringing do not give approval to such conduct and for this, as a leader, I seek forgiveness before God and all those who feel offended by my action,” he said in his apology.
“Indeed, this episode has taught me a very great lesson both as a private citizen and a public officer particularly as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria upon whom public confidence is reposed.”
But, more than a year later, the Federal High Court has instructed the senator to pay N50 million to compensate the woman for assaulting her.
The ruling was confirmed by the victim’s lawyers, Lugard Tare-Otu and Nelson, on Monday on Twitter.
“Remember that video of a Nigerian senator slapping/assaulting a young lady at a shop? Well justice was served today with the court slamming the sum of N50M against the Senator. I am delighted to have represented that young lady in this suit. We say no more to oppression,” Nelson, one of the lawyers tweeted.
