An Area Court judge in Fufore Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Dauda Hamman, has narrated how an 87-year-old defendant, Dahiru Garba, allegedly broke free from court security and attacked him with a cutlass during proceedings.
The incident occurred on August 31, 2026, at the Mayo-Ine Area Court while Hamman was hearing a land dispute involving Garba of Korawa village and another man, Ismail Yusuf.
The police later arrested the octogenarian and transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Yola.
Speaking from his hospital bed on Tuesday, the judge said the dispute arose after both parties were allocated farmland by the Emir, Marafa Maye, but Garba allegedly encroached on Yusuf’s portion, prompting the matter to be taken to court.
Hamman said proceedings initially went on peacefully, with Garba pleading not guilty, until a prosecution witness began giving evidence.
He explained that when the defendant could not follow the witness’s response during cross-examination, he directed the court registrar to interpret and repeat the testimony.
The judge said the clarification angered Garba, who allegedly turned his frustration towards him, verbally abusing him and issuing threats.
When efforts by the registrar to calm the situation failed, Hamman ordered security personnel to take the defendant into custody and remove him from the courtroom.
He, however, said the situation took a dangerous turn when Garba allegedly broke away from the security officers, produced a short machete and charged towards the judge’s bench.
Hamman said he raised his hands to protect his head but suffered serious injuries to his right hand.
According to him, three people identified as Abubakar Honourable, Malam Musa and his personal secretary eventually intervened and subdued the attacker.
The judge was taken to a nearby clinic and later transferred to a medical centre where he is still receiving treatment.
The police spokesman in Adamawa, Suleiman Nguroje, said the suspect was arrested immediately after the incident and the case was transferred to the SCID in Yola on September 4 for investigation and prosecution.
Garba was subsequently arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Yola on a charge of causing grievous hurt under Section 219 of the Penal Code Law of Adamawa State, 2018.
The police said he pleaded guilty to the allegation and reportedly expressed regret, blaming the incident on the devil.
Chief Magistrate Ismail Bello Shelleng ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Yola Correctional Facility pending further proceedings.
The matter was adjourned until September 17, 2026.
A magistrate, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the eventual charge could depend on evidence establishing Garba’s intention during the attack.
The magistrate noted that an attempt to strike a vital part of the judge’s body could attract a more serious charge than an assault aimed specifically at the hand.
The magistrate also questioned how the elderly defendant allegedly gained access to the courtroom with a weapon, calling for stronger security measures in lower courts.
He warned that judges and court officials could become targets of violent reactions from litigants dissatisfied with proceedings or court decisions.
