Court Remands Former SDP Chairman Shehu Gabam Over Alleged N740million Fraud, Forgery

Abuja, Nigeria– A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chief Magistrates’ Court in Abuja has remanded former National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Shehu Gabam, over alleged criminal misappropriation of party funds, breach of trust and forgery.

Gabam was arraigned on Tuesday before Chief Magistrate Amauche Onyedium alongside Chukwuma Ogbonna Uchechukwu in suit No. DCC/10/2026 following a direct criminal complaint filed by the current SDP National Chairman, Sadiq Abubakar.

The complaint was instituted under provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, accusing the former SDP leadership of financial misconduct involving hundreds of millions of naira belonging to the party.

During proceedings, counsel to the complainant informed the court that the prosecution required more time to respond to the bail application filed by the defendants.

The court, however, granted Gabam bail in the sum of N3million with two sureties who must own landed property within Abuja.

The court also ordered him to deposit his international passport with the court registrar pending the determination of the case.

Chief Magistrate Onyedium subsequently adjourned the matter until May 25 for further hearing.

Speaking to journalists after the court session, Abubakar alleged that the party was forced to seek judicial intervention after several petitions submitted to anti-graft and security agencies allegedly yielded no concrete action.

According to him, the SDP had earlier submitted bank statements and other financial documents to the Independent National Electoral Commission, urging the commission to probe alleged financial irregularities under Gabam’s leadership.

Abubakar claimed that an internal audit report showed that the party generated only N32million during the period under review, with nearly N31million allegedly mismanaged.

He further alleged that party officials later uncovered documents linked to two separate bank accounts allegedly reflecting transactions amounting to about N740million.

The SDP chairman said the discovery triggered serious concerns over accountability and transparency in the handling of party finances.

He disclosed that petitions were subsequently forwarded to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services, but alleged that none of the agencies took decisive action.

The party then initiated direct criminal proceedings before the court.

Gabam’s legal troubles come months after the SDP leadership suspended him, National Youth Leader Ogbonna Uchechukwu and National Auditor Clarkson Nnadi on June 24, 2025, over allegations of misconduct and financial impropriety.

An independent disciplinary committee later investigated the allegations and submitted its findings to the party leadership.

The SDP National Working Committee subsequently adopted the committee’s white paper and announced the expulsion of Gabam and Uchechukwu for alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office.

Several SDP state chairmen had also backed the expulsions, accusing the former leadership of allegedly diverting close to N1billion belonging to the party.

The current SDP leadership insisted that the ongoing court action was part of efforts to restore transparency, accountability and discipline within the party.