The criminal proceedings involving former National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Shehu Musa Gabam, were on Monday postponed until August 17, 2026, after the court was unable to sit, delaying the prosecution’s planned submission of key banking records.
The prosecution had intended to present statements from the SDP’s bank accounts through officials of Zenith Bank, who appeared in court under subpoena. The documents are expected to support allegations of criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of party funds and other financial offences brought against Gabam and other defendants.
Following the adjournment, the SDP’s National Chairman, Professor Abubakar Sadiq Gombe, said all parties involved—including the prosecution, defence team and the subpoenaed bank officials—were present and prepared for the hearing before proceedings were called off.
According to Gombe, the bank officials arrived with the requested account statements, but the matter could not proceed because the court did not sit.
He described the banking records as critical evidence, claiming they contain details of transactions involving party funds that the prosecution intends to rely on during the trial.
Gombe further alleged that the statements reveal multiple payments made to an individual who neither served as the party’s treasurer nor held any official responsibility for managing its finances.
He said the alleged financial misconduct led the SDP to implement internal reforms aimed at improving transparency and accountability in the handling of party resources.
Addressing the party’s leadership crisis, Gombe insisted that Gabam’s expulsion remains lawful, stating that it was endorsed by the National Executive Committee (NEC) in line with the SDP Constitution and the Electoral Act.
He maintained that leadership matters are internal party affairs, noting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) only observed the process that resulted in Gabam’s removal and confirmed compliance with legal requirements.
Gombe also accused the former SDP chairman of relying on court decisions that, in his view, did not concern the party’s national leadership, expressing confidence that the prosecution’s documentary evidence would determine the outcome of the case.
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