By Patience Omoha
A Wuse Zone 2 Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, on Monday adjourned until Aug. 17 the alleged N35 million financial misappropriation case against the immediate past National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alhaji Shehu Gabam.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gabam was arraigned in May in suit No. DCC/10/2026 for allegedly misappropriating SDP’s N35 million during his tenure as national chairman.
The SDP, which instituted the case, had charged Gabam with criminal breach of trust, misappropriation, theft and other financial offences.
At Monday’s resumed hearing of the case, the court announced it would not be sitting due to unforeseen circumstances, and hence would not proceed with proceedings for the day.
The development prompted parties to put heads together to reach agreement on a new trial date, and ultimately settled for Aug. 17 as the new adjourned date.
Speaking with journalists after the stalled proceedings, SDP National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, said it was the first time since the trial began that the court failed to sit on an adjourned date.
He said the party was ready to proceed with the trial, adding that officials of Zenith Bank, subpoenaed to tender the party’s statement of account, were present in court.
Gombe said that the officials left with the documents after the court failed to sit.
“The Zenith Bank statement of account is one of our key pieces of evidence.
“Although it could not be tendered today, we are hopeful it will be admitted on the next adjourned date,” he said.
He added that the prosecution had assembled sufficient evidence to support the allegations and remained confident in the judicial process.
“It is not about timing; it is about ensuring that justice is done. We have confidence in the court and the judicial process,” he said.
He urged the court to hear the matter on the next adjourned date to enable both parties present their cases.
Gombe alleged that the party’s 2024 financial records showed multiple payments to an individual who had no responsibility for its finances.
According to him, the individual received about 75 payments during the year, including multiple transfers on the same day, despite not serving as a contractor, financial officer or treasurer.
He said the alleged transactions informed the current leadership’s decision to sanitise the party’s administration.
Gombe also urged the judiciary to expedite cases involving alleged financial misconduct within political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said speedy prosecution would strengthen internal party democracy and deter corruption.
On the party’s leadership dispute, Gombe maintained that issues relating to the leadership of political parties were internal affairs beyond the jurisdiction of INEC and the courts. (NAN)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza