The criminal proceedings initiated by the Social Democratic Party against its former national chairman, Shehu Gabam, have been postponed by a Magistrate Court situated in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja. The adjournment was prompted by the party’s failure to produce crucial documentation essential for the case.
Professor Sodiq Abubakar, the current National Chairman of the SDP, provided insights following the court session on Wednesday. He explained that the delay stemmed from the party’s inability to secure a key piece of evidence—a bank statement that is vital to the prosecution’s argument.
Abubakar detailed that the party had formally requested the statement from a Nigerian bank, but the institution did not comply. Consequently, the party sought intervention through the court registry, issuing a subpoena compelling the bank to produce the document. The bank cited the voluminous nature of the records and the need for approval from its headquarters, requesting a one-week period to fulfill the demand.
In light of these developments, the court granted the adjournment, setting the next hearing for July 20, 2026. Abubakar emphasized that the postponement was solely due to the absence of the bank statement, which is indispensable for the case’s progression.
It is noteworthy that Gabam was initially arraigned in May 2026 under suit number DCC/10/2026, facing allegations of financial misappropriation totaling 35 million naira during his tenure as the party’s national chairman. The adjournment ensures that the bank statement will be available for the next hearing, allowing the case to move forward.