The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 2 recently addressed a case involving Shehu Gabam, the former chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and the party’s current leader, Sodiq Abubakar. Filed under case number DCC/10/2026, the allegations against Gabam and his associate, Chukwuma Uchechukwu, include the misappropriation of over N35 million belonging to the SDP, as well as charges of forgery and breaching the trust of party members.
During the hearing, Gabam pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Amauche Onyedium. The court granted him bail set at N3 million, which must be secured by two sureties residing in Abuja.
In his address to the magistrate, Abubakar explained that the party had previously sought the intervention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prosecute Gabam, but their request did not lead to any action. Consequently, the SDP turned to the judiciary to hold the former chairman accountable. Abubakar expressed confidence in the judicial system, asserting that it would deliver justice for the party’s members. He noted that Gabam allegedly misused party funds between 2022 and 2023.
This legal dispute arises following Abubakar’s election as the SDP national chairman during the party’s convention in Bauchi on May 9, 2026. Tensions escalated over the weekend when individuals believed to be loyal to Gabam vandalized the gate of the SDP’s national secretariat.
The case underscores the internal strife within the SDP and highlights the party’s reliance on legal mechanisms to address allegations of financial misconduct. The magistrate’s decision to release Gabam on bail allows for further investigation and trial. Future court dates will determine whether the charges lead to a conviction or dismissal, which could significantly impact the party’s governance and its reputation among members.
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