Why Did an 87-Year-Old Attack an Adamawa Judge?
An 87-year-old man, Dahiru Garba, has been arraigned after allegedly attacking an Adamawa Area Court judge with a cutlass during a court proceeding.
But beyond the shocking age of the defendant and the alleged weapon used, one question stands out: why did an 87-year-old man attack a judge while his case was being heard?
The incident happened on August 31, 2026, at the Mayo-Ine Area Court in Fufore Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
According to the Adamawa State Police Command, Garba, a resident of Korawa village, was a defendant in a case involving himself and another man, Ismail Yusuf, when he allegedly attacked the presiding judge, Dauda Hamman.
What happened in court?
The police said Garba allegedly used a cutlass to attack Judge Hamman, repeatedly striking his hand and causing what the command described as grievous injuries.
The circumstances that triggered the alleged attack, however, have not been fully explained by the police.
What is known is that the incident happened while the judge was presiding over a case involving Garba and Yusuf. Garba was subsequently arrested and the matter was transferred from the Divisional Police Headquarters in Fufore to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Yola on September 4 for further investigation and prosecution.
The case later moved from the alleged attack in court to another courtroom, where Garba himself became the defendant.
What was the 87-year-old charged with?
Following the investigation, Garba was arraigned on September 8 before Chief Magistrate Court I in Yola.
The police charged him with one count of causing grievous hurt, contrary to Section 219 of the Penal Code Law of Adamawa State, 2018.
When the charge was read and interpreted to him, Garba pleaded guilty.
He reportedly blamed the devil for his action and expressed regret over the incident.
The court subsequently ordered that he be remanded at the Yola Correctional Facility pending further hearing.
Why did Garba attack the judge?
This remains the biggest unanswered question surrounding the incident.
The police account establishes that the alleged attack occurred while the judge was handling a case involving Garba and another man. However, the available reports do not establish what happened immediately before the alleged attack or what specifically prompted the elderly defendant to allegedly pick up a cutlass.
Garba’s explanation in court was limited to blaming the devil and expressing regret.
Therefore, claims about a specific motive would be premature unless further evidence or statements from the police, court or people present at the scene emerge.
What happens next?
Garba remains in custody following the court’s remand order.
The Commissioner of Police in Adamawa, Kabir Hassan, said the police would diligently prosecute the case to ensure justice is served.
For Judge Hamman, the alleged attack has also raised concerns about security inside courtrooms, where judges and other judicial officers are expected to conduct proceedings without fear of physical attacks.
For now, the case leaves two separate questions: what exactly happened inside the courtroom on August 31, and what could have driven an 87-year-old defendant to allegedly turn a court proceeding into a violent confrontation?
Those questions may become clearer as the case progresses.