“Court Remands 87-Year-Old Man For Allegedly Attacking Adamawa Judge With Cutlass” — Defendant Blames Devil

A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Yola, Adamawa State, has remanded an 87-year-old man, Dahiru Garba, at the Yola Correctional Centre for allegedly attacking an Area Court judge with a cutlass during court proceedings.

Garba, a resident of Korawa village in Fufore Local Government Area, was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ismail Bello Shelleng on one count of causing grievous hurt, contrary to Section 219 of the Penal Code Law of Adamawa State, 2018.

The Adamawa State Police Command said the defendant allegedly attacked the presiding judge of the Mayo-Ine Area Court, Hon. Dauda Hamman, on August 31, 2026.

According to a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, Suleiman Nguroje, the incident occurred while the judge was presiding over a case involving Garba and another person identified as Ismail Yusuf.

The police alleged that Garba attacked the judge with a cutlass and repeatedly struck his hand, causing him grievous injuries.

“On 31st August, 2026, there was mild drama at Mayo-Ine Area Court, Fufore Local Government Area of Adamawa State, after an 87-year-old man, Dahiru Garba of Korawa village, allegedly cut off the hand of the presiding judge, Hon. Dauda Hamman, with a cutlass,” the statement said.

“The suspect attacked the presiding judge with a cutlass and severally cut his hand, causing him grievous injuries.”

Police operatives reportedly arrested Garba immediately after the incident and took him to the Divisional Police Headquarters in Fufore.

The case was subsequently transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Yola on September 4 for further investigation and prosecution.

Following the conclusion of the investigation, Garba was arraigned before Chief Magistrates’ Court I in Yola.

When the charge was read and interpreted to him, the defendant pleaded guilty, reportedly blamed the devil for his action and expressed regret.

The court consequently ordered that he be remanded at the Yola Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.

Adamawa State Commissioner of Police, Kabir Hassan, assured members of the public that the case would be diligently prosecuted to ensure that justice was served.