…Suspended SDP Chairman, Gabam to know fate in 21 days as party inaugurates investigative committee
The Social Democratic Party, SDP, has inaugurated a five man committee to investigate allegations of financial impropriety levelled against Shehu Gabam, suspended Chairman of the party.
At the inauguration in Abuja on Friday, the acting National Chairman of the party, Dr. Sadiq-Umar Abubakar charged the Committee to be diligent and ensure that natural justice and fairness prevail in their findings and decisions.
Dr. Abubakar who appealed to the Committee to show decorum, dignity and decency to the persons who appear before it noted that it is paramount to begin on the constitutional presumption that those accused of any wrongdoing before it are innocent at the outset until the contrary is proved.
He stated: “Let the law, good conscience and equity be your guiding principles, not political considerations,” adding that their recommendations should be based on the truth.
“Let the truth be your anchor,” he stated.
“Obey the rule of law and observe natural justice which essentially means that no one can be a judge in his own case, and you must hear both sides thoroughly before making conclusions, ” Dr. Abubakar stressed.
The acting National Chairman therefore urged the committee to be just and impartial, adding that its findings should be truthful and objective.
“Always remember that your actions are accountable not only to the party and the public, but ultimately to the almighty God before whom we shall all give account on the day of judgment, ” Dr Abubakar added.
On his part, the National Secretary, Dr. Olu Agunloye said the disciplinary committee is charged with the responsibility of investigating financial misappropriation and malfeasance in the party, a situation he said led to suspension of the party’s national chairman and two other stakeholders.
Agunloye said the areas of consideration include, fact-finding regarding the allegations of breaches of the SDP Constitution, examine the state of the accounts of the SDP, determine the circumstances surrounding the production and submission of audited accounts submitted to INEC in the name of the SDP.
Dr. Agunloye gave the committee 14-day to come up with its findings and recommendations.
In his acceptance speech, the chairman of the disciplinary committee, Abubakar Sadiq Liman, pledged to carry out the task with commitment and transparency.
He stated: “Indeed this is a national duty, we pledge to prioritise the integrity of the party, taking it seriously with commitment,” he emphasized.
It could be recalled that on June 24, the National Working Committee of the party announced the suspension of the party’s national chairman, Shehu Gabam, over alleged financial misappropriation.
‘The composition of the Committee is listed below: Mr. Liman S Abubakar, National Chieftain of SDP – Chairman Pharm. Wafari Theman, National Vice Chairman (North East) – Member, Dr. Kingsley Obinna Agbo, Ebonyi State Chairman – Member
Hajiya Laila Mohammed, National Chieftain of SDP – Member, Barrister Williams Adelewa, Zonal Chieftain of SDP- Secretary.
