A 40-year-old patient, Ahmed Usman, will stand trial at the Chief Magistrate Court 1 in Damaturu, Yobe State, over allegations of assaulting Dr. Fatima Umar Gamsa, a medical doctor at the General Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital.
The case, slated for hearing on August 19, was confirmed by the Chairman of the Association of Resident Doctors, Yobe State Branch, Dr. Umar Aji.
Speaking with PUNCH Metro on Thursday, Aji said the association had reported the matter to the police and was awaiting the court’s decision. “The case is now before a court, and the association will not say anything pending the outcome of the court verdict,” he stated.
It was gathered that Usman, a resident of Abba Ibrahim Housing Estate in Damaturu, is currently in custody at the Potiskum Correctional Service pending the trial date.
The Police Public Relations Officer for Yobe State, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, confirmed the matter, noting that it is before the Chief Magistrate Court 1 in Damaturu. “We have already handed the case to the court for determination on a date fixed for hearing,” he said.
According to court registry records, the matter has been adjourned to August 19, with the accused remanded until then.
A hospital management staff member, who requested anonymity due to lack of authorisation to speak, recounted the incident. The staff explained: “The patient, Ahmed Usman, was scheduled for a review with the doctor on duty. However, when the doctor called out his name, he was not present, and the folder was set aside while the next patient was attended to.”
The staff continued: **“After the day’s work, the patient became agitated, feeling he had been overlooked. In a shocking turn of events, the patient went outside, cut a branch from a tree, and used it to assault the doctor.
“Hospital security personnel intervened to control the situation, and the incident was reported to the police.”**
Efforts to speak with Dr. Gamsa were unsuccessful, as she is currently on bed rest recovering from the attack. She has reportedly been advised to let the court handle the matter, given that it is now under legal consideration.
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