A Gombe State High Court, presided over by Justice A.M. Haruna, has ordered the amputation of Abdullahi Suleiman’s right hand after he was found guilty of severing the hand of a 14-year-old boy, Khalifa Abubakar, with a machete.
The incident occurred on February 12, 2022, in Moddibo village, Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area, during a wedding ceremony that turned into a brawl. As the groom dispersed the crowd, Suleiman, a resident of Wajari village, used a machete to clear people from the venue.
During the chaos, Khalifa, who had stopped to pick up his fallen shoe, was attacked by Suleiman, resulting in the complete severance of his right hand. He was rushed to the Federal Teaching Hospital in Gombe, where doctors treated him.
Following the attack, Khalifa’s family reported the case to the police, leading to Abdullahi Suleiman’s arrest. Although he was initially granted bail, the Gombe State government took over the case, and State Counsel Barrister Y.G. Ahmad filed a lawsuit with case number GM/88c/2022 at the Gombe State High Court No. 5.
During the trial, five prosecution witnesses, including Khalifa Abubakar himself, testified against Suleiman. Three eyewitnesses confirmed that Suleiman struck Khalifa during the fight, while a medical doctor provided evidence about the nature of the injury.
In his defense, Suleiman presented two witnesses, but their testimonies were deemed insufficient to counter the overwhelming evidence against him.
After reviewing the case, Justice Haruna found Abdullahi Suleiman guilty. Although Suleiman showed remorse and pleaded for forgiveness, the court rejected his lawyer’s request to provide Khalifa with a prosthetic hand as restitution.
Instead, the court issued a landmark ruling, sentencing Suleiman to:
Two years in prison or a fine of ₦50,000
A compensation payment of ₦134,540 to cover Khalifa’s medical expenses
The amputation of his right hand, mirroring the injury he inflicted on Khalifa
The court stated that the amputation serves as a deterrent to others and a warning against such violent acts in society.
