The Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 2, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Tuesday arraigned the Social Democratic Party (SDP) national chairman recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Shehu Gabam, over alleged financial misappropriation and related charges.
In criminal case No. DCC/10/2026, Gabam and Chukwuma Uchechukwu were arraigned before the FCT Chief Magistrate Court on six counts bordering on the alleged misappropriation of over N35 million, forgery, and breach of trust. The case was brought by the current SDP National Chairman, Dr. Sodiq Abubakar.
Gabam pleaded not guilty when the charges were read before Chief Magistrate Amauche Onyedium. The court granted him bail in the sum of N3 million, with two sureties who must reside within Abuja.
Speaking after the hearing, Prof. Sadiq Abubakar Gombe, who was elected SDP National Chairman at the party’s recent national convention in Bauchi State, said the party took the matter to court as part of efforts to cleanse it of external influences and restore internal discipline.
“We are confident that the judiciary will do justice for our millions of members,” Gombe said.
According to him, the party had earlier asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to prosecute Gabam, but no action was taken, prompting the SDP to approach the judiciary directly.
“He squandered the party’s funds during his time in office between 2022 and 2023,” he alleged.
Gombe was elected national chairman of the SDP at the party’s national convention held in Bauchi on May 9, 2026.
He also alleged that, over the weekend, thugs suspected to be loyal to Gabam broke down the gate of the SDP national secretariat in Abuja.
The party said the prosecution forms part of its wider effort to reposition the SDP ahead of future elections and strengthen accountability in the management of party resources.
