ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The internal crisis rocking the Social Democratic Party (SDP) took a dramatic turn on Tuesday after a Federal Capital Territory Chief Magistrates’ Court remanded the party’s former National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, over allegations of financial misconduct, criminal breach of trust and forgery linked to party funds.
Gabam was arraigned alongside Chukwuma Ogbonna Uchechukwu before Chief Magistrate Amauche Onyedium in suit number DCC/10/2026 following a direct criminal complaint filed by the current SDP National Chairman, Sadiq Abubakar.
The complaint was brought under relevant sections of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
At the hearing, counsel to the complainant informed the court that the prosecution required additional time to respond to the bail applications filed by the defendants.
Following arguments from both parties, the court granted Gabam bail in the sum of N3 million with two sureties who must 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 case.
Chief Magistrate Onyedium subsequently adjourned proceedings until May 25 for further hearing.
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The court action marks a major escalation in the prolonged leadership and financial crisis that has unsettled the opposition party in recent months.
Speaking after the proceedings, SDP National Chairman Sadiq Abubakar said the party was forced to approach the court after several petitions submitted to anti-graft and security agencies allegedly failed to yield results.
According to him, the party had earlier forwarded financial records and bank statements to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging the commission to investigate what he described as suspicious financial transactions under the former leadership.
Abubakar alleged that an audit report prepared during Gabam’s tenure indicated that the party generated only N32 million within the reviewed period, but claimed that nearly N31 million was allegedly mismanaged.
He, however, said the situation took a more troubling dimension after party officials allegedly uncovered documents connected to two separate bank accounts said to contain transactions worth about N740 million.
According to him, the discovery triggered fresh concerns within the party over accountability and transparency in the management of SDP funds.
The SDP chairman further disclosed that petitions were submitted to the Nigeria Police Force, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Department of State Services over the allegations.
He, however, claimed that none of the agencies took concrete action, forcing the party leadership to initiate direct criminal proceedings before the court.
The current legal battle follows the June 24, 2025 suspension of Gabam, National Youth Leader Ogbonna Uchechukwu and National Auditor Clarkson Nnadi over allegations of misconduct and financial impropriety.
An independent disciplinary committee was later constituted by the party to investigate the allegations before submitting its report to the National Working Committee.
The SDP leadership subsequently adopted the committee’s white paper and announced the expulsion of Gabam and Uchechukwu over what it described as gross misconduct and abuse of office.
Some SDP state chairmen had also backed the expulsions, accusing the former leadership of diverting close to N1 billion belonging to the party.
Despite the controversy, the party leadership insisted the legal action was part of efforts to restore discipline, transparency and financial accountability within the SDP ahead of the 2027 political season.