AMAC chairman, Christopher Maikalangu faces prosecution for ‘certificate forgery’

The scheduled arraignment of Mr. Christopher Maikalangu, Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), on charges of alleged certificate forgery, was stalled at the Dutse Magistrates Court in Abuja.

The case, which was to be heard before Chief Magistrate Abdullahi Ilela of Court 1, did not proceed due to the magistrate’s absence.

The arraignment has now been rescheduled for April 24.

The direct criminal complaint was filed by Awalu Mohammed, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and resident of AMAC.

In case number CR/DUT/324/25, dated March 24, Zakka is the sole defendant.

According to Mohammed, Zakka allegedly submitted a forged First School Leaving Certificate from Festival Road Primary School (1983–1989) to the FCT Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Area 10, Garki, Abuja, on or about January 8, 2013.

This certificate, among other documents, was allegedly included in his “INEC FORM C.F. 001, for councillorship position, knowing it to be forged and with intent that it may in any way be used or acted upon as genuine.”

Mohammed further alleged that on or about May 8, 2021, Zakka again submitted a forged First School Leaving Certificate, this time from LEA Model Science Primary School (1984–1989), also to INEC for electoral purposes.

The document was allegedly submitted along with affidavits for a statutory declaration of age and a name correction on his voter’s card — “knowing them to be forged and with intent that they may in anyway be used or acted upon as genuine.”

Zakka is accused of committing forgery under Sections 362(a), 363, and 264 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

In a verifying affidavit supporting the application, Mohammed stated he felt morally obligated to expose crimes committed by public officials, institutions, or agencies that could tarnish the image of the country.

“Consequently, I have filed this direct criminal complaint against the defendant.

I hereby verify the facts contained in this direct criminal complaint as true and correct to the best of my knowledge,” he said.

Mohammed identified Zakka as the current AMAC Chairman who, in compliance with electoral regulations in both 2013 and 2021, submitted Form EC9 sworn affidavits to INEC.

Following a request, he said he was provided with certified true copies (CTCs) of these forms, including INEC Forms 001 from Zakka’s 2013 councillorship and 2021 chairmanship bids, along with a police investigation report submitted to the FCT Area Council Election Tribunal.

“Based on the response from the FCT High Court, I verily believe that the affidavit for correction of name, and the affidavit for declaration of age sworn in by the defender was forged by the defendant.

Based on the above differences between the two certificates, I verily believe that the defendant submitted a forged First School Leaving Certificate to INEC on or about sometimes in 2013 and 2021,” he alleged.

On Wednesday, while the complainant’s counsel Job Israel was present in court, Zakka was not.

Israel later told reporters that although Chief Magistrate Ilela was initially in his office, he was summoned by the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Hon. Justice Hussain Baba Yusuf, which caused the court session to be adjourned.