Bauchi State has recorded a disturbing rise in violent crimes, with the Ministry of Justice reporting a total of 189 cases of homicide, rape, and kidnapping in the 2024–2025 legal year.
The State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hassan Usman, SAN, disclosed the figures on Tuesday during the commencement ceremony of the 2025–2026 legal year in Bauchi.
According to Usman, the Ministry handled 75 homicide cases, 86 rape cases, and 28 kidnapping incidents within the period. Robbery cases also rose from 83 last year to 91 this year.
In total, 592 criminal cases were registered, of which 97 have been disposed of, 15 discharged through legal advice, while 454 remain pending in the courts.
“The high volume of cases compelled the Ministry to adopt strategies aimed at fast-tracking prosecutions in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, which emphasises speedy trials,” Usman said.
He added that timelines for filing charges and court proceedings had been instituted to reduce delays.
Usman also lauded Governor Bala Mohammed for approving N7.8 million for law books to strengthen the Ministry’s library and for releasing monthly funds to settle outstanding judgment debts owed by the state government.
Meanwhile, the Chief Judge of Bauchi State, Justice Rabi Umar, expressed concern over the recurrent practice of arraigning suspects without proper preliminary investigations. She said,
“In many cases, evidence gathering only begins after the trial has started. This backward approach significantly delays justice and erodes public confidence in the system.”
Justice Umar noted that a committee has been set up to review the state’s Administration of Criminal Justice Law to ensure more effective prosecution.
She also warned that lawyers who fail to adhere to the prescribed dress code would not be allowed to appear in court, stressing that professionalism upholds the prestige of the legal system.
Represented by his deputy, Auwal Jatau, Governor Bala Mohammed reiterated that the three arms of government in the state have been working harmoniously, with the executive providing support to ensure optimal operations without compromising constitutional autonomy.
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