Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
Months after internal disputes rocked the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the party’s former National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, was on Tuesday arraigned before a Federal Capital Territory Chief Magistrates’ Court over allegations of financial misconduct, forgery and criminal breach of trust linked to party funds.
Gabam appeared before Chief Magistrate Amauche Onyedium alongside Chukwuma Ogbonna Uchechukwu in a direct criminal complaint filed by the current SDP National Chairman, Dr. Sadiq Abubakar.
The case, marked DCC/10/2026, stems from allegations surrounding the management of party finances under the previous leadership.
Following the proceedings, the court admitted Gabam to bail in the sum of N3 million with two sureties required to own landed property within Abuja.
The court also directed the former SDP chairman to surrender his international passport to the court registrar pending the determination of the matter, which was adjourned until May 25 for further hearing.
During the sitting, counsel to the complainant informed the court that the prosecution needed additional time to respond to bail applications filed by the defendants.
The latest court action follows months of internal investigations and disciplinary proceedings within the opposition party.
Speaking with journalists after the arraignment, SDP National Chairman Sadiq Abubakar said the party resorted to legal action after several petitions submitted to security and anti-graft agencies allegedly failed to produce results.
According to him, financial records earlier submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission raised concerns over the handling of party funds during Gabam’s tenure.
Abubakar alleged that an audit report showed the party generated about N32 million during the period under review, with nearly N31 million allegedly mismanaged.
He further claimed that party officials later uncovered documents connected to two bank accounts involving transactions estimated at about N740 million.
The SDP chairman said petitions had previously been forwarded to the Nigeria Police Force, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, and the Department of State Services.
He maintained that the party ultimately chose to initiate direct criminal proceedings before the court after receiving no concrete response from the agencies.
Gabam, Uchechukwu and the party’s National Auditor, Clarkson Nnadi, were earlier suspended by the SDP in June 2025 over allegations of misconduct and financial impropriety.
An internal disciplinary committee subsequently investigated the allegations before the party’s National Working Committee adopted its recommendations and announced the expulsion of Gabam and Uchechukwu for alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office.
The SDP leadership said the ongoing legal process is part of efforts to restore transparency, accountability and discipline within the party structure.
