The Adamawa State chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has condemned the alleged attack on a presiding Area Court judge, Dauda Hamman, at Mayo-Inne in Fufore Local Government Area of the state.
The union described the incident as an attack on Nigeria’s justice system and called on the government and security agencies to arrest those responsible and bring them to justice.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Fxenty Sanda Jonathan, JUSUN described the attack as “barbaric, inhuman, heinous and unacceptable.”
According to the union, the judge was attacked by armed men suspected to be involved in a case before him.
JUSUN said the incident occurred inside the courtroom while the judge was carrying out his official duties.
The union said the alleged attack was particularly disturbing because judges must be able to perform their constitutional responsibilities without fear of intimidation, threats or physical violence.
It stated that Hamman was allegedly attacked and macheted in the courtroom by the armed men.
“An arbiter of justice performing his constitutional duties as a judge should not be descended upon by armed men and macheted helplessly,” the union said.
JUSUN said the incident represented a serious threat to the administration of justice and called for urgent action to protect judicial officers, particularly those serving in rural and remote communities.
The union urged the government and relevant security authorities to identify, arrest and prosecute the alleged attackers.
It also called for improved security around courts and residences of judges working in remote parts of Adamawa State.
According to the union, judges and other judicial workers in rural areas often face greater security risks because of the nature of cases handled in such courts and the limited security presence in some communities.
“Judges in rural courts are exposed to high risks due to the nature of cases they handle and the absence of sufficient protection, a situation that must be addressed urgently,” JUSUN said.
The union’s concern comes against the background of wider challenges faced by judicial officers in parts of Nigeria, where insecurity has affected the ability of public institutions to operate safely.
Courts, like other public institutions, depend on a secure environment for judges, lawyers, witnesses, court workers and members of the public to carry out their duties.
Any attack on a judge or court official can have wider implications because it may discourage judicial officers from handling sensitive cases, especially those involving criminal suspects or influential individuals.
It can also affect public confidence in the justice system if people believe that those involved in court cases can use violence or threats to influence proceedings.
JUSUN therefore said the attack should not be treated as an isolated incident but as a warning about the need to strengthen security around courts across the state.
The union also appealed to its members to remain calm following the incident.
It said both the union and security agencies were working to track down those responsible for the attack.
JUSUN urged judicial workers not to allow the incident to disrupt the administration of justice in the state.
The attack on Hamman reportedly occurred at the Area Court in Mayo-Inne, a community in Fufore Local Government Area.
Area courts play an important role in providing access to justice, particularly for residents of rural communities who may find it difficult to travel to major towns and cities to resolve disputes.
They handle cases within their legal jurisdiction and serve as an important part of the wider judicial structure.
However, their location in remote communities can sometimes expose judicial officers and court staff to security challenges.
The latest incident has therefore renewed calls for authorities to provide stronger security arrangements for courts outside major urban centres.
Judges are expected to make decisions based on the law and evidence presented before them. They must also be able to do so independently and without fear of retaliation.
Threats or attacks against judges can undermine this independence because judicial officers may feel unsafe when presiding over cases involving individuals who have the capacity or willingness to resort to violence.
JUSUN’s demand for improved protection is consequently aimed at ensuring that judicial officers can perform their duties without intimidation.
The union also stressed the importance of bringing the alleged attackers to justice.
It said failure to arrest and prosecute those responsible could send the wrong message to other criminals and further expose judicial officers to danger.
The union’s statement did not indicate whether the judge had been hospitalised or provide details about the extent of his injuries.
It also did not disclose the identity of the individuals suspected of carrying out the attack or the specific case that may have led to the alleged assault.
Those details are expected to become clearer as security agencies investigate the incident.
The attack has also raised concerns about the safety of court users, including lawyers, witnesses, litigants and other members of the public who attend proceedings.
Security at courts is particularly important because disputes can sometimes involve parties with strong emotions or competing interests.
Judicial officers are expected to remain neutral in such matters and must be protected from attempts to influence their decisions through threats or violence.
The Constitution guarantees the independence of the judiciary, while judicial officers are expected to discharge their responsibilities according to the law.
JUSUN said the alleged assault on Hamman was therefore an attack not only on an individual judge but also on the justice system.
The union called on the authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure that those responsible face the law.
It also urged the government to review security arrangements for courts across Adamawa, especially those located in rural areas.
According to JUSUN, adequate security should be provided to prevent similar incidents and reassure judicial officers who work in communities where security threats may be higher.
The union maintained that judges should never have to choose between performing their constitutional duties and protecting themselves from violent attacks.
It said the safety of judicial officers was necessary for the effective functioning of the justice system.
As security agencies continue their efforts to identify the alleged attackers, JUSUN urged its members to remain calm and continue carrying out their responsibilities.
The union said it would continue to work with relevant authorities to ensure that the perpetrators were brought to justice.
The incident has once again highlighted the need for stronger protection of Nigeria’s judicial officers, particularly those serving outside major cities.
For JUSUN, protecting judges is not only about safeguarding individuals but also about protecting the rule of law and ensuring that courts remain places where disputes are settled through lawful processes rather than threats and violence.