YOLA, Nigeria — An 87-year-old man has been arraigned before a Yola magistrate’s court on charges that he attacked a sitting area court judge with a cutlass during a hearing, severely injuring the judge’s hand.
Dahiru Garba, a resident of Korawa village in the Fufore Local Government Area of Adamawa State, appeared before Chief Magistrate Court I in Yola on Monday, September 8, facing a one-count charge of causing grievous hurt under Section 219 of the Penal Code Law of Adamawa State, 2018. Chief Magistrate Ismail Bello Shelleng presided over the arraignment.
According to police, the alleged attack took place on August 31 at the Mayo-Ine Area Court in Fufore, where Hon. Dauda Hamman was presiding over a dispute between Garba and another man, Ismail Yusuf. Police said Garba struck the judge’s hand repeatedly with the weapon, inflicting serious injuries. Reports indicated that Garba became furious after feeling the court proceedings were not going in his favor.
Hamman was subsequently taken to the hospital, where he is said to be responding to treatment.
Police operatives arrested Garba immediately after the incident. The case was initially handled at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Fufore before being transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Yola on September 4 for further investigation, according to a statement from the Adamawa State Police Command.
When the charge was read and interpreted to him in court, Garba pleaded guilty. He reportedly told the court he regretted his actions and blamed “the devil” for the attack.
ASP Zakka Musa prosecuted the case on behalf of the Commissioner of Police. Following submissions from the prosecution, the court ordered that Garba be remanded at the Yola Correctional Facility pending further proceedings. The court adjourned the matter until September 17, 2026, for further hearing.
Commissioner of Police Kabir Umar Hassan said the command would ensure the matter is diligently prosecuted to guarantee that justice is served. The statement was issued by Adamawa State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje.
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Note: All named individuals in this case are entitled to a presumption of innocence unless and until proven guilty in a court of law; the “guilty plea” reported here reflects police and court reporting at arraignment, and formal proceedings continue.
