ShehuGabam
A Chief Magistrate Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja has remanded the expelled former National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Shehu Gabam, following allegations of financial mismanagement, breach of trust, and forgery linked to party funds.
Gabam was arraigned on Tuesday alongside Chukwuma Ogbonna Uchechukwu in Charge No. DCC/10/2026 before Chief Magistrate Amauche Onyedium. The matter arose from a direct criminal complaint filed by the current SDP leadership under Sadiq Abubakar.
Court Proceedings and Bail Conditions
During the hearing, the complainant’s legal team requested time to respond to the bail application filed by the defendants. The court subsequently granted Gabam bail in the sum of ₦3 million, with the condition that he must produce two sureties who own landed property within Abuja.
The court further ordered the defendant to surrender his international passport to the registrar pending the conclusion of the case. The matter was adjourned to May 25 for continuation of hearing.
Following the court session, SDP National Chairman Sadiq Abubakar told journalists that the party resorted to legal action after what he described as repeated inaction by relevant authorities despite multiple petitions.
He alleged that financial documents submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (Independent National Electoral Commission) showed the party generated about ₦32 million, with nearly ₦31 million reportedly unaccounted for.
Abubakar further claimed that a separate review of bank records later revealed transactions totaling approximately ₦740 million, raising serious concerns within the party over possible financial irregularities.
According to him, petitions had earlier been submitted to several agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (Independent Corrupt Practices Commission), and the Department of State Services (Department of State Services), but no decisive action was taken before the party proceeded to court.
The SDP had earlier suspended Gabam, alongside Ogbonna Uchechukwu and National Auditor Clarkson Nnadi, on June 24, 2025, over allegations of misconduct and financial impropriety.
An internal disciplinary committee was later constituted, which investigated the claims and submitted recommendations. The party’s National Working Committee subsequently approved a white paper that led to the expulsion of Gabam and Uchechukwu for alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office.
The case is expected to resume on May 25, where the court will continue hearing arguments as both sides prepare to present further evidence.
The SDP leadership maintains that the action is aimed at restoring accountability and discipline within the party, while the outcome of the case will ultimately depend on judicial determination of the allegations.