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…Defendant in Court
An Area Court judge in Fufore Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Dauda Hamman, has recounted how an 87-year-old defendant allegedly attacked him with a cutlass during court proceedings, leaving him with severe injuries to his right hand.
The incident occurred on August 31, 2026, at the Mayo-Ine Area Court while Hamman was presiding over a land dispute involving Dahiru Garba of Korawa village and Ismail Yusuf.
The Adamawa State Police Command said Garba was arrested immediately after the attack and later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yola, on September 4 for investigation and prosecution.
Speaking from his hospital bed, Hamman said the dispute arose after both Garba and Yusuf were allocated farmlands by the Emir, Marafa Maye. The matter was taken to court after Garba allegedly encroached on Yusuf’s portion.
According to the judge, Garba initially pleaded not guilty and the trial proceeded until tensions rose during the testimony and cross-examination of a prosecution witness.
Hamman said when Garba struggled to understand the witness’s responses, he directed the registrar to translate and repeat the testimony to ensure that the defendant properly followed the proceedings.
He said Garba instead became angry, verbally abused him and subsequently threatened to do “worse than that” to the judge when the registrar attempted to restore order.
Fearing that the situation could escalate, Hamman ordered court security personnel to remand Garba and escort him out of the courtroom.
The judge alleged that Garba broke free from the security officers, produced a short machete he had concealed and charged towards the bench.
Hamman said he raised his arms to protect his head but sustained serious cuts to his right hand before Abubakar Honourable, Malam Musa and his personal secretary intervened and overpowered the defendant.
He was initially taken to a local clinic before being transferred to a major medical facility for specialised treatment, where he remains hospitalised.
Suspect Remanded
Garba was subsequently arraigned before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Yola on a one-count charge of causing grievous hurt, contrary to Section 219 of the Penal Code Law of Adamawa State, 2018.
Police said the octogenarian pleaded guilty after the charge was read and interpreted to him, reportedly blaming the devil for his actions and expressing regret.
Chief Magistrate Ismail Bello Shelleng ordered that Garba be remanded at the Yola Correctional Facility pending further hearing and adjourned the case until September 17, 2026.
A magistrate who spoke anonymously said the eventual charge could depend on evidence regarding Garba’s intention during the attack.
He explained that if prosecutors established that the defendant intended to strike the judge on the head, neck or shoulder, the circumstances could support a more serious allegation of attempted homicide, while evidence that the hand was deliberately targeted could point to an intention to cause injury rather than kill.
The magistrate also questioned how an armed defendant managed to enter the courtroom, describing the incident as a serious security lapse.
He called for tighter security measures in lower courts, noting that judges and other judicial officers are often exposed to hostility from litigants dissatisfied with court proceedings or decisions.
