Lawyer kicks as AMAC Chair arraignment stalled

The planned arraignment of Mr. Christopher Zakka, Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), over alleged certificate forgery could not hold as planned as his lawyers cited ill-health. The Magistrate has subsequently adjourned his arraignment to May 23, 2025. Zakka is standing trial on charges bordering on the alleged forgery of his First School […]

The planned arraignment of Mr. Christopher Zakka, Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), over alleged certificate forgery could not hold as planned as his lawyers cited ill-health.

The Magistrate has subsequently adjourned his arraignment to May 23, 2025.

Zakka is standing trial on charges bordering on the alleged forgery of his First School Leaving Certificates, which was submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 2013 and 2021.

The direct criminal complaint in Case No: CR/DUT/324/25) was filed by Mr. Awalu Mohammed, an All Progressives Congress (APC) member and resident of AMAC.

The charges against Zakka are in violation of Sections 362(a), 363, and 264 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory.

But while fielding questions from newsmen after the court session, counsel to the complainant, Joe Peter Israel, said the defence team had earlier applied for an adjournment, citing the defendant’s ill health.

He expressed concerns that Zakka might be deliberately stalling the legal process by feigning illness.

He added: “There was no medical report presented to the court to verify the illness.

“Reluctantly, the court granted the adjournment following our concession, and the matter has now been fixed for the 23rd of May, which is a Friday.

“There is a bit of suspicion that Mr. Christopher is trying to avoid this case from proceeding since there is no medical report to verify his health status.”