87-Year-Old Man Faces Attempted Murder Charge After Court Attack on Adamawa Judge

An alarming incident unfolded at the Mayo-Ine Area Court in Fufore Local Government Area of Adamawa State on August 31, 2026, when an 87-year-old defendant, identified as Dahiru Garba, allegedly attacked the presiding judge, Hon. Dauda Hamman, with a cutlass during a court proceeding. The Adamawa State Police Command confirmed that the suspect severely cut the judge’s hand, inflicting grievous injuries.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Judge Hamman recounted the events, stating that the case involved a land dispute between Dahiru Garba of Korawa village and a complainant, Ismail Yusuf. Both individuals had been allocated farmlands by Emir Marafa Maye, but the matter was brought to court after Garba allegedly encroached on Yusuf’s property. During initial appearances, Garba pleaded not guilty, and the trial proceeded.

Tensions escalated significantly during the testimony of a prosecution witness. According to the judge, when the witness struggled to answer Garba’s questions during cross-examination, he intervened and instructed the court registrar to translate and repeat the testimony to ensure the defendant understood the proceedings. Instead of engaging with the evidence, Garba became enraged and verbally abused the judge. When the court registrar attempted to restore order, Garba escalated his threats, boasting that he would do “worse than that” to the presiding judge.

Sensing imminent danger, Judge Hamman ordered court security personnel to remand Garba and remove him from the courtroom. As officers attempted to escort him out, Garba reportedly broke free from their grip, produced a short machete he had allegedly smuggled into the courtroom, and rushed back towards the bench. The judge raised his arms to shield his head but sustained severe injuries to his right hand before bystanders, identified as Abubakar Honourable, Malam Musa, and his personal secretary, intervened and overpowered the attacker. Judge Hamman was immediately rushed to a local clinic before being transferred to a major medical center for specialized treatment, where he is currently recovering.

Following the incident, Dahiru Garba was promptly arrested by police operatives. The case was transferred from the Divisional Police Headquarters, Fufore, to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yola, on September 4, 2026, for thorough investigation and diligent prosecution. On Monday, September 8, 2026, Garba was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Court I, Yola, presided over by Chief Magistrate Ismail Bello Shelleng. He faced a one-count charge of causing grievous hurt, contrary to Section 219 of the Penal Code Law of Adamawa State, 2018.

When the charge was read and interpreted to him, the defendant pleaded guilty, attributing his actions to the devil and expressing deep regret. The court ordered that Garba be remanded at the Yola Correctional Facility pending further hearing, with the case adjourned to September 17, 2026.

Commenting on the matter, an anonymous magistrate emphasized that the gravity of potential charges would largely depend on the attacker’s intent. If evidence suggested he was aiming for the judge’s head, neck, or shoulder, it could be considered attempted homicide, a most serious charge. However, if the evidence indicated he was only aiming for the hand, it would suggest no intent to kill. Depending on the court’s findings on intent and the final charges filed by the prosecution, a conviction under the Penal Code could carry a sentence of life imprisonment.

The magistrate also called for an immediate investigation into how an armed civilian managed to bypass security protocols and enter the courtroom. He stressed the importance of decorum in a court of law and highlighted that the incident pointed to negligence on the part of court security. He advocated for heightened security protocols across all lower courts, noting the frequent hostility faced by bailiffs and judges from litigants reacting to adverse rulings.