An FCT Chief Magistrate Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of the expelled former National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Shehu Gabam, over allegations bordering on criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of party funds, and forgery.
Gabam was arraigned on Tuesday alongside Chukwuma Ogbonna Uchechukwu in Charge No. DCC/10/2026 before Chief Magistrate Amauche Onyedium following a direct criminal complaint instituted by the current SDP leadership.
The complaint was filed by the party’s National Chairman, Sadiq Abubakar, under provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
During proceedings, counsel to the complainant requested additional time to respond to the bail application submitted by the defendants. The court subsequently granted Gabam bail in the sum of ₦3 million, with a requirement that he must provide two sureties who own landed property within the Federal Capital Territory.
The magistrate also ordered the defendant to deposit his international passport with the court registrar pending the determination of the case. The matter was adjourned to May 25 for further hearing.
Speaking after the court session, Abubakar alleged that the party was compelled to seek judicial intervention after multiple petitions submitted to relevant authorities reportedly failed to yield action.
He claimed that financial records earlier submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (Independent National Electoral Commission) showed that the party generated about ₦32 million, while nearly ₦31 million could not be accounted for.
He further alleged that a later review uncovered bank records suggesting transactions running into approximately ₦740 million, raising concerns over possible financial discrepancies.
According to him, petitions had also been filed with 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 resorted to direct criminal proceedings.
Party Discipline Measures
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 set up to investigate the claims, after which the party’s National Working Committee reportedly approved a white paper recommending the expulsion of Gabam and Uchechukwu for alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office.
The current leadership maintains that the legal action is part of wider efforts to enforce accountability, discipline, and transparency within the party structure.
Court Remands Ex-SDP Chairman Gabam Over Alleged Financial Misconduct
