Octogenarian Attacks Area Court Judge With Cutlass Over Land Dispute

​YOLA — Drama turned to horror inside the Mayo-Ine Area Court in Fufore Local Government Area of Adamawa State, as an 87-year-old man, Dahiru Garba, allegedly unleashed a bloody attack on the presiding judge, Hon. Dauda Hamman, severing his hand with a cutlass.

​Garba, a resident of Korawa village, was on Monday, September 8, 2026, formally arraigned before Chief Magistrate Court I in Yola. He faces a one-count charge of causing grievous hurt, contrary to Section 219 of the Penal Code Law of Adamawa State, 2018.

​According to details provided by the Adamawa State Police Command through its spokesperson, Suleiman Nguroje, the horrific incident unfolded on August 31, 2026. Judge Hamman was presiding over a land and civil dispute involving the octogenarian and another individual, Ismail Yusuf, when tensions flared inside the courtroom.

​Court sources indicated that the confrontation began when the judge intervened during the elderly man’s cross-examination of a witness. Enraged by the proceedings and a subsequent order to maintain order, Garba allegedly smuggled or produced a cutlass, pouncing on the bench and repeatedly hacking at the magistrate. The violent assault left Judge Hamman with severe, life-altering injuries to his hand.

​Following the immediate pandemonium, police operatives attached to the division arrested Garba on the spot. The case was subsequently transferred from the Fufore Divisional Police Headquarters to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Yola on September 4 for discreet investigation.

​During his arraignment before Chief Magistrate Ismail Bello Shelleng, the charge sheet and First Information Report were read and interpreted to the defendant. In a surprising turn, Garba pleaded guilty to the offense. Visibly sober, he blamed “the devil” for his actions, expressed deep regret, and begged the court for mercy.

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​The police prosecutor, ASP Zakka Musa, prayed the court to sustain the charges given the gravity and brazen nature of the assault on a judicial officer.

​Chief Magistrate Shelleng ordered that the 87-year-old defendant be remanded at the Yola Correctional Facility. The matter has been adjourned to September 17, 2026, for further hearing.

​Meanwhile, the Adamawa State Commissioner of Police, Kabir Hassan, has strongly condemned the attack on the judiciary, assuring members of the public that the command will ensure diligent prosecution to serve as a deterrent and deliver absolute justice.