The arraignment of Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council, Christopher Maikalangu, over alleged certificate forgery was on Wednesday stalled at the Dutse Magistrates’ Court in Abuja.

The case, which was on the day’s cause list before Chief Magistrates Abdullahi Ilela of Court I, could not proceed due to the magistrate’s absence.

The case was subsequently fixed for April 24 for Maikalangu’s arraignment.

The direct criminal complaint was instituted by an All Progressives Congress member and AMAC resident, Awalu Mohammed.

In the case number: CR/DUT/324/25 dated March 24, the AMAC chairman is the sole accused person).

Mr Mohammed alleged that Maikalangu , on or about January 8, 2013, at the FCT Independent National Electoral Commission Office, Area 10, Garki District, Abuja, submitted a forged first school leaving certificate from Festival Road Primary School {1983-1989} to the commission.

He alleged that the forged certificate was among other submitted documents 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.”

Mr Mohammed also alleged that the AMAC chairman, on or about May 8, 2021, submitted a forged first school leaving certificate from LEA Model Science Primary School {1984-1989} at the INEC for election purposes.

He said the document was submitted alongside the court affidavit for statutory declaration of age and the court affidavit for correction of name on voter card, “knowing them to be forged and with intent that they may in any way be used or acted upon as genuine.”

He accused the chairman of committing the offence of forgery contrary to Sections 362(a), 363 and 264 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

In the verifying affidavit in support of the application, Mr Mohammed said he was duty bound to expose the commission of crime(s) by any person, including the defendant, public officials, agencies or institutions howsoever described, whose acts could embarrass and dent the prestige and good name of Nigeria.

He said, “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.”

According to him, the chairman, sometime in 2013 and 2021 in line with the requirement of the Electoral Act, submitted his sworn FORM EC9 to INEC.

(Affidavit in support of personal particulars – Particulars of persons seeking election to the Councillorship (2013) Chairmanship (2021) position, Abuja Municipal Area Council) to FCT Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). 8.

Mr Mohammed said upon his application, Mr Maikalangu’s Certified True Copy (CTC) of Form EC9, containing his affidavit in support of personal particulars, was made available to him.

He said the CTCs of the necessary documents, including INEC Forms 001 for Mr Maikalangu ‘s councillorship election {2013} and chairmanship poll {2021} and a report of Investigation by the police to the Tribunal Secretary, FCT Area Council Election Tribunal were equally handed to him.

He said the tribunal secretary issued to him CTCs of the chairman’s form for nomination of councillorship in 2013 as well as chairmanship in 2021, INEC Forms 001, and other documents in the tribunal’s custody relating to the fact in issue.

He added, “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 defendant 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.’’

At the Magistrates Court on Wednesday, counsel to the complainant, Job Israel, was in court.

Speaking to journalists shortly after adjournment, Mr Israel alleged that though the chief magistrate was earlier in his office in preparation for today’s sitting, he was, however, invited by the higher authority at the FCT High Court.

(NAN)