The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prof. Sadiq Umar Abubakar Gombe, has expressed confidence in the prosecution of an alleged financial crime case involving some former party officials despite the adjournment of proceedings to August 17, 2026, following the court’s inability to sit.
Speaking with journalists shortly after arriving at the court on Monday in Abuja, Gombe said the matter could not proceed because the court announced that it would not be sitting, prompting the parties to agree on a new hearing date.
“Today is July 20, 2026. We came to court early enough. Unfortunately, the court announced that it was not sitting due to unforeseen circumstances and apologised. We have now fixed August 17 as the next adjourned date for the prosecution of the accused to continue,” he said.
Responding to concerns that the case had lingered for too long, Gombe maintained that the delay was not due to any lack of diligence on the part of the prosecution.
“As a matter of fact, there wasn’t a time the court did not sit from the commencement of this case until today. We have always been present in court with our lawyers. Even Zenith Bank officials came with the requested statement of account, but because the court was not sitting, they had to leave with the document and return on the next adjourned date,” he said.
The SDP National Chairman said the prosecution had assembled substantial evidence to support allegations of criminal breach of trust, misappropriation, malfeasance, and other financial crimes against the defendants.
He said, “We have done our part by ensuring that all the necessary evidence is available. One of the most important pieces of evidence is the Zenith Bank statement of account, which we intend to tender. We remain hopeful that, on the next adjourned date, the court will admit the document and hear other witnesses.”
According to him, a review of the party’s 2024 bank statement allegedly revealed suspicious financial transactions, including repeated payments to an individual who had no official responsibility for the party’s finances.
“If you examine the 2024 statement of account, you will discover that one individual received payments 75 times within a single year. On average, that amounts to about six payments every month. In some instances, three or four payments were made to the same person in one day, despite the fact that he was neither a contractor nor the treasurer but merely a youth leader. It is astonishing,” Gombe said.
He said the party’s current leadership was determined to sanitise the SDP by ensuring accountability and transparency.
“We embarked on cleansing the party because political parties are the foundation of democracy. If criminals occupy leadership positions within political parties, they will inevitably produce candidates of similar character. Nigeria can only get it right when political parties are led by people with integrity, patriotism, and competence,” he said.
The SDP boss urged the judiciary to ensure that politically related criminal cases were concluded expeditiously ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Our prayer is that the judiciary will continue to do the needful by concluding these cases so that criminal elements within the political process are identified and held accountable. That will serve as a deterrent and strengthen our democratic institutions,” he said.
The SDP chairman also dismissed claims that former National Chairman Shehu Musa Gabam had been restored to office, insisting that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) validly removed and expelled him.
He said leadership matters remained the exclusive internal affairs of political parties under the Electoral Act.
Gombe said, “INEC does not determine who leads a political party; neither do the courts. On March 9, 2026, our National Executive Committee, which is the highest administrative organ of the party, suspended and subsequently expelled Shehu Musa Gabam and another official. That decision stands.”
He said the Supreme Court had consistently held that courts should not interfere in the internal affairs of political parties, adding that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) monitored the party’s NEC meeting and later certified that it complied with the Electoral Act, the party’s constitution, and INEC guidelines.
He accused Gabam of misleading the Federal High Court over issues that had already been settled, insisting that the ongoing legal disputes would not alter the party’s leadership structure.
Gombe said, “We have confidence in the judiciary and believe justice will prevail. Our focus is to strengthen the party and ensure credible leadership capable of producing candidates like our presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, who can move Nigeria forward.”
