An 87-year-old man, Dahiru Garba, allegedly caused panic at an Area Court in Fufore Local Government Area of Adamawa State after breaking away from security personnel and attacking the presiding judge, Dauda Hamman, with a machete.
The incident happened on August 31, 2026, at the Mayo-Ine Area Court during proceedings over a land dispute involving Garba and another resident, Ismail Yusuf. The suspect was later arrested by the police and taken into custody for investigation.
Narrating the incident from his hospital bed on Tuesday, Hamman said the dispute stemmed from farmland allocated to both men by the Emir, Marafa Maye. He alleged that Garba later encroached on Yusuf’s portion, leading to the case being brought before the court.
The judge said the proceedings had initially progressed without incident, with Garba maintaining his innocence. Trouble reportedly started when a prosecution witness was being cross-examined and Garba struggled to understand some of the responses.
Hamman explained that he directed the court registrar to interpret the evidence and repeat it for the defendant. Rather than calm the situation, the clarification allegedly infuriated Garba, who began abusing the judge and making threats.
The judge said he subsequently instructed court security officials to restrain Garba and take him out of the courtroom. However, the defendant allegedly freed himself, produced a concealed short machete and moved towards the judge.
Hamman said he instinctively raised his arms to protect himself, but the weapon struck his right hand, leaving him with serious injuries. He said Abubakar Honourable, Malam Musa and his personal secretary intervened and eventually overpowered the elderly defendant.
The injured judge was initially taken to a nearby clinic before being transferred to another medical facility for further treatment, where he remained on Tuesday.
Adamawa State Police Command spokesman, Suleiman Nguroje, confirmed that Garba was arrested after the attack. He said the matter was subsequently transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Yola on September 4 for further investigation and prosecution.
The suspect was later brought before a 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 Garba pleaded guilty after the charge was read and interpreted to him.
Chief Magistrate Ismail Bello Shelleng ordered the defendant to be remanded at the Yola Correctional Facility pending the continuation of the case. The matter was adjourned until September 17.
A magistrate who commented on the incident said the eventual legal consequences would depend on evidence regarding Garba’s intention during the attack.
The magistrate also raised concerns about courtroom security, stressing the need for tighter screening to prevent weapons from being taken into judicial premises.