An unusual courtroom drama has unfolded in Adamawa State, where an 87-year-old man, Dahiru Garba of Korawa Village in Fufore Local Government Area, is facing criminal proceedings for allegedly attacking an Area Court judge with a cutlass during court proceedings.
The incident, which has drawn attention because of the age of the accused and the setting in which it occurred, took place on August 31, 2026, at the Mayo-Ine Area Court in Fufore.
The presiding judge, Dauda Hamman, was reportedly conducting proceedings in a case involving Garba and another man, Ismail Yusuf, when the elderly defendant allegedly turned on him.
According to the Adamawa State Police Command, Garba allegedly wielded a cutlass and repeatedly struck the judge’s hand, inflicting grievous injuries.
What began as a court proceeding consequently turned into a scene of violence, prompting Garba’s arrest shortly after the incident.
He was initially taken to the Divisional Police Headquarters in Fufore before the matter was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Yola on September 4 for further investigation and prosecution.
Following the conclusion of investigations, Garba was brought before Chief Magistrate Court I, Yola, on Monday, September 8, where he was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ismail Bello Shelleng.
The police charged him with one count of causing grievous hurt, contrary to Section 219 of the Penal Code Law of Adamawa State, 2018.
The charge was presented by the police prosecutor, ASP Zakka Musa, who appeared on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Kabir Umar Hassan.
When the charge was read and interpreted to him, Garba pleaded guilty.
In a striking moment during the proceedings, the 87-year-old reportedly attributed his actions to the devil and expressed regret over what had happened.
His plea, however, did not bring an immediate end to the case.
The court ordered that Garba be remanded at the Yola Correctional Facility pending further hearing.
A Case That Raises Questions
The incident has placed unusual attention on the safety of judicial officers and the conduct of proceedings in Nigeria’s courts.
Courts are expected to provide a structured environment where disputes are resolved through arguments, evidence and legal procedures. The alleged attack, therefore, represents a dramatic departure from the normal process of adjudication.
For the police, the circumstances surrounding the incident remain a matter for the court to determine. The command said it would ensure that the case was diligently prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The Commissioner of Police also assured members of the public that the command would pursue the matter to ensure justice is served.
As Garba awaits his next appearance in court, the case stands as a reminder of how quickly tension surrounding a legal dispute can escalate—and how an incident inside a courtroom can itself become the subject of criminal proceedings.