A Magistrate Court in Wuse, Abuja, on Wednesday adjourned the criminal case involving the former National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Shehu Gabam, to July 28 following the prosecution’s inability to secure critical banking records required for the trial.

The case, which stems from allegations of financial misconduct and the disputed leadership tussle within the party, could not proceed after prosecutors informed the court that a key bank statement intended to be tendered as evidence was yet to be produced by the financial institution involved.

Speaking with journalists after the proceedings, SDP National Chairman, Professor Sadiq Abubakar Gombe, said efforts to obtain the document directly from the bank had proved unsuccessful, forcing the prosecution to seek a subpoena compelling the institution to produce the records before the court.

According to him, the bank explained that the documents were extensive and required certification, stamping, and approval from its headquarters before release.

“The matter was adjourned because we could not obtain one of the key documents to be tendered in the case, which is the bank statement. We approached the bank directly, but they could not release it immediately. We then had to subpoena the bank through the court, and the bank requested additional time because the documents are voluminous and require certification,” Gombe said.

The court subsequently fixed July 28 for continuation of hearing.

The criminal proceedings are part of the broader leadership dispute that has engulfed the SDP in recent months, with rival camps laying claim to the party’s structures and assets.

However, Gombe dismissed suggestions that the party is factionalised, insisting that the dispute involves disciplinary measures taken against a few members who allegedly violated the party’s constitution.

“There is no faction in the SDP. What we have are disciplinary issues involving erring members. The party acted in accordance with its constitution, the Electoral Act and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

He maintained that the sanctions imposed on the affected members, including suspension and expulsion, were duly approved by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and subsequently ratified by the National Executive Committee (NEC).

According to him, the affected members neither exhausted the party’s internal appeal mechanisms nor challenged the disciplinary measures within the time prescribed by the party’s constitution.

Gombe further argued that internal disciplinary matters remain the exclusive preserve of political parties, citing judicial precedents affirming the autonomy of political parties in managing their affairs.

The SDP chairman also renewed allegations that supporters of the former leadership forcefully took over the party’s national secretariat in March, claiming they were aided by security operatives while key party officials were away preparing for the party’s national convention in Bauchi.

He alleged that the action was designed to frustrate preparations for the convention, which eventually went ahead and produced the party’s current leadership and presidential candidate.

Despite the dispute over the secretariat, Gombe said the party had continued to function from a temporary location while pursuing legal and administrative remedies.

“We have continued with our activities because we are law-abiding. We believe the legal process will ultimately vindicate the party and affirm that all actions taken were consistent with our constitution,” he said.

The case is expected to resume on July 28 when the subpoenaed banking records are expected to be presented before the court.