Lagos lawyer and human rights advocate, Mr. Femi Falana, has
said that the senate has no right to question the representative of Adamawa
north in the senate, Mr. Elisha Abbo who is standing trial for assault because the
matter was already in court.
Falana who was reacting to the summoning of Abbo before the senate ad hoc committee investigating the incident said questioning him now would amount to sub judice.
Punch quotes Falana as saying that the senator had already been arraigned before a magistrate court, pleaded not guilty and granted bail.
He said the Senate rules clearly state that when a matter is before a court of law, the Senate cannot discuss it.
“We all watched the video showing the senator allegedly assaulting a lady, but we all demanded justice and the Police have already arraigned him.
“The matter is now before a court and Senator Abbo is a defendant.
“It is, therefore, wrong for the Senate to sit and investigate a matter publicly while the matter is ongoing in court. That is sub judice.
“The Senate rules are clear that when a matter is in court, the Senate does not dabble into it.”
Abbo, who represents Adamawa North senatorial district, was caught on video assaulting a shop attendant in a sex toy shop.
The video sparked outrage across the country, with several rights groups demanding his prosecution.
The Senate President subsequently set up an ad hoc committee headed by senators Sam Egwu, Remi Tinubu (Lagos Central), Stella Oduah, Mathew Urhoghide, Dauda Aliu Jika, Sani Musa, and Danladi Sankara are members.
The committee was asked to submit its report within two weeks.
Before the committee could sit on Tuesday, however, the Police had already arraigned Abbo the previous day.
