87-year-old arraigned for cutting judge’s hand

An 87-year-old man, Dahiru Garba, has been arraigned before a Yola Magistrate Court for allegedly attacking an Area Court judge with a cutlass during court proceedings in Adamawa State.

Garba, who hails from Korawa village in Fufore Local Government Area, is accused of assaulting the Presiding Judge of Mayo-Ine Area Court, Hon. Dauda Hamman, on August 31, 2026.

The alleged attack occurred while Hamman was hearing a case involving Garba and another man identified as Ismail Yusuf.

According to the police, Garba suddenly attacked the judge with a cutlass and struck his hand several times, leaving him with serious injuries.

The suspect was arrested by police operatives following the incident, while the case was later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Yola on September 4 for further investigation.

After the investigation was completed, Garba was brought before Chief Magistrate Court I, Yola, on Monday and arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ismail Bello Shelleng.

He was charged with one count of causing grievous hurt, an offence contrary to Section 219 of the Penal Code Law of Adamawa State, 2018.

The charge was read and interpreted to the defendant, to which he pleaded guilty. Garba reportedly expressed remorse and attributed his actions to the devil.

Following his plea, the court ordered that he be remanded at the Yola Correctional Facility pending further proceedings.

ASP Zakka Musa appeared for the prosecution on behalf of the Adamawa State Commissioner of Police.

The Commissioner of Police, Kabir Umar Hassan, said the command would ensure that the case was diligently prosecuted in accordance with the law.