The Bauchi State Ministry of Justice has published worrying figures about criminal activity, showing that seventy five cases of killing, twenty eight abductions, and eighty six occurrences of sexual attacks were officially recorded in the state between December of two thousand twenty four and December of two thousand twenty five.
Speaking as the two thousand twenty five legal year ended, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hassan Usman, who is also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, disclosed that the ministry processed five hundred ninety two criminal matters during the time frame being reviewed.
He stated, “From January until now, we received ninety one cases of armed theft, compared to eighty three last year. We also recorded seventy five homicide matters, eighty six instances of rape, and twenty eight instances of kidnapping. Furthermore, we were presented with two hundred fifty six requests for release on bail and other types of applications.”
Usman clarified that ninety seven matters have been finalized, fifteen were dropped after receiving legal guidance, while four hundred fifty four are still unresolved.
He pointed out that the ministry has started using new approaches to speed up court cases, in accordance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, which requires charges to be formally submitted quickly and that deadlines for trials are strictly followed.
The Attorney General also thanked Governor Bala Mohammed for authorizing seven point eight million naira for the purchase of law books and other necessary items for the ministry’s library, as well as providing money each month to settle government debts arising from court judgments.
Earlier, the Chief Judge of Bauchi State, Justice Rabi Umar, voiced concern about the regular practice of bringing suspects to court without adequate preliminary inquiries.
She said many government lawyers only start collecting proof after trials have begun, a method she called “old fashioned” and harmful to the proper delivery of legal decisions.
She stated, “This method adds to the huge number of delayed cases in our courts and reduces public trust in the legal system. It is unacceptable that such methods continue in two thousand twenty five,” and she added that a group has been formed to review and update the state’s criminal justice law.
Justice Umar also issued a warning that legal representatives who fail to obey the approved required courtroom attire will no longer be permitted to appear in court, noting that disrespect for professional rules reduces the importance of the law profession.
In his comments, Governor Bala Mohammed, whose place was taken by his deputy, Auwal Jatau, confirmed the good working relationship among the three government branches in the state.
He promised that his government would continue to support the courts and the law making body to guarantee effective and independent running of the state.
About The Author
