By Fatima Saka
A lawyer representing the Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, has informed a Magistrate Court in Abuja that the alleged certificate forgery case brought against his client has been formally terminated by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice.
According to a counter affidavit filed by Abuja-based legal practitioner Charles Okoye, the AGF’s decision was based on a conclusive report by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), which stated that the allegations concerning Maikalangu’s primary school leaving certificate lacked legal merit and could not be sustained in court.
The affidavit was submitted in response to a fresh Direct Criminal Complaint filed by All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Awalu Tanko Mohammed in suit number AB/CR/DUT/324/2025, currently before Magistrate Abdullahi Ilelah.
Okoye challenged the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the matter, arguing that proceeding with the case would be an affront to the constitutional powers of the AGF. He emphasized that the Federal Capital Territory Police Command’s Criminal Investigation Department had concluded its investigation and forwarded its findings to the DPPF, which in turn recommended that the case be terminated due to lack of substantiating evidence.
The AGF subsequently adopted the recommendation and dismissed the complaint, Okoye noted, urging the Magistrate to disregard the renewed charges brought by the APC chieftain.
He further pointed out that similar allegations had previously been raised in 2022 before the AMAC Election Petition Tribunal, where they were dismissed for lack of merit.
“Repackaging the same claims under a different guise is nothing but a calculated attempt to misuse judicial time and harass the AMAC chairman,” Okoye stated.
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At Thursday’s court session, Maikalangu was absent due to a scheduled medical checkup at the National Hospital, Abuja. Okoye presented a letter explaining his client’s absence and requested an adjournment, which was not opposed by the complainant’s counsel, Mr. Job Peter Israel—though he questioned the credibility of the attached medical report.
Following consensus from both parties, Magistrate Ilelah adjourned the matter to May 23 for either mention or arraignment of the Direct Criminal Complaint.
