Rita Odafe
Severe Sentence Delivered in Gombe Hand Amputation Case
Justice A.M. Haruna has mandated the amputation of Abdullahi Suleiman’s hand following his conviction of injuring a 14-year-old boy, Khalifa Abubakar, with a machete.
This decision was reached in Gombe State High Court No. 5.
The incident took place on February 12, 2022, during a wedding in Moddibo village, located in the Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area. The celebration turned chaotic, prompting the groom to request guests to leave.
As guests were departing, Abdullahi Suleiman, a Wajari village resident, swung a machete to clear the area, alongside other young men.
According to police reports, Khalifa Abubakar was injured when he temporarily halted to retrieve his shoe, at which point Abdullahi struck him, leading to the complete loss of his right hand.
Khalifa’s family swiftly took him to the Federal Teaching Hospital in Gombe for medical care due to his severe injury.
The incident was reported to the Deba police station by Khalifa’s relatives.
Initially released on bail, the government later intervened, with State Counsel Barrister Y.G. Ahmad filing charges in court under case number GM/88c/2022.
During the trial, five witnesses, including Khalifa, testified that Abdullahi was the attacker.
Three eyewitnesses confirmed they saw Abdullahi strike Khalifa, and a doctor who treated Khalifa provided insight into the injuries sustained and the medical response given.
In his defense, Abdullahi brought forward two witnesses, yet their statements did not hold weight with the court.
After reviewing all testimonies, the court convicted Abdullahi Suleiman.
While passing judgment, the court noted that Abdullahi expressed remorse and sought forgiveness.
His lawyer, Y.A. Waziri, proposed providing Khalifa with a prosthetic hand as compensation, but the court declined this suggestion.
Ultimately, the court sentenced Abdullahi to two years in prison or a fine of N50,000, in addition to mandating him to pay N134,540 to cover Khalifa’s medical costs.
Most notably, the court ordered the amputation of Abdullahi’s right hand, echoing the injury he caused Khalifa, serving as a societal warning against similar acts.
