The Senate on Monday said that despite the public apology tendered by Senator Elisha Abbo, it would proceed with the Senator’s probe, Igbere TV reports.
Igbere TV reports that Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, had constituted a panel to investigate the assault, following a point of order raised by the Senator representing Kaduna Central, Uba Sani, on the issue.
The Senate Leader, Abdullahi Yahaya; Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe; and Senator Opeyemi Bamidele supported Sani by condemning Abbo’s alleged action.
Lawan said it would be unfair to both the lawmaker and the victim if the Senate should pass a judgment based on the viral video clip without listening to Abbo.
However, hours after the ad hoc panel was constituted, Abbo, who was absent from the Senate plenary on Wednesday, rushed to the National Secretariat of the PDP in Abuja where he addressed journalists and apologised to Nigerians and his victims for his action.
But the Chairman, Senate ad-hoc Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Adedayo Adeyeye, told Igbere TV on Monday that the public apology by Abbo was not enough to stop the Senate panel from going ahead with its assignment.
His reaction was contained in a statement made available to Igbere TV on Monday, in Abuja.
“The Senate has not taken any definite position on the issue. We only constituted an ad hoc committee to investigate the matter. We have not passed any verdict on the Senator.
“We are aware that Senator Abbo has tendered a public apology and regretted his action but that does not stop the Senate from going ahead with its own investigation.
“A responsible institution like the Senate should follow due process in a matter like this by ensuring that all parties are giving fair hearing.
“The Senate will base its decision on the report of the ad hoc committee whenever it is submitted and considered.”
Also, despite his apology, women activists have insisted that Abbo should face trial to teach others a lesson.
The President, Women in Politics Forum, Ebere Ifendu, described the action of the Senator as “both barbaric and animalistic.”
She said, “Senator Abbo has also by his misconduct desecrated the ethos of the revered public institution of the Nigerian Senate. The generality of Nigerian women consider his action to be repugnant and appalling as with all other forms of violence against women.
“We request that Senator Abbo be charged to court for prosecution as his action is tantamount to both a crime and a tort. It is our view that to do otherwise will be a blatant disregard for the rule of law and the principles of equality before the law of the land.”
On her part, the Executive Director, The Cece Yara Foundation, Grace Ketefe, said Abbo should be suspended for six months from the Senate without pay.
She said, “Apology should be just a part of the bargain; it should not completely insulate a wrongdoer from facing the consequences of their action.
“Alternatively, the Senate may suspend Abbo for something like six months without pay. In any case, the man should not be allowed to go scot-free simply for tendering an apology. The apology should be accompanied by due punishment, but in less severe form.”
Similarly, the Chief Executive of Nigerian Women Trust Fund, Hajiya Mufuliat Fijabi, said, “His apology is not acceptable for several reasons, including the fact that he would not have slapped a woman like that and because there are several more like him out there who may be thinking that if they commit violence against women and girls, all they need do is to apologise. Nigeria has the VAP Act in place and the law should be allowed to take its full course. Nobody is above the law.”
Likewise, the Executive Director, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, said apology was not enough.
“I am not satisfied; it’s an assault and it’s an offence. So, he should face the law and be convicted for his offence. His apology is an admission of guilt. This will send a strong message to batterers that those who occupy positions of power should not abuse it. Nobody is above the law.”
