The Bauchi State Ministry of Justice has released new crime statistics showing that the state recorded 592 criminal cases in the 2024–2025 legal year. The figures were made public on Tuesday by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hassan Usman, SAN, during the opening ceremony of the 2025–2026 legal year in Bauchi.
The report shows that rape was the most reported offence during the year, with 86 cases, highlighting what officials described as a “deep concern” about sexual violence in the state. The statistics also show 75 homicide cases, 28 kidnapping cases, and 91 robbery cases, marking a rise in armed robbery when compared to the previous year.
Usman explained that out of the total 592 criminal matters received by the Ministry, only 97 cases have been concluded, while 15 were discharged after legal advice from the state’s Department of Public Prosecutions. A total of 454 cases are still pending.
The Attorney General said the Ministry was working to improve the speed of prosecution in order to reduce delays. According to him, new strategies have been introduced in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL), which guides how criminal cases should be handled in the state.
The crime statistics demonstrated that Bauchi, like many states in Nigeria, continues to face challenges linked to insecurity, social problems, and weaknesses in the justice system. The 86 rape cases form one of the highest categories of offences recorded, raising concerns about the safety of women, girls, and vulnerable persons in the state.
Homicide cases, numbering 75, reflect incidents where individuals lost their lives through violence. Kidnapping, another major security concern across Nigeria, accounted for 28 cases in the period under review. Meanwhile, robbery cases climbed to 91, compared to the 83 cases recorded in the previous legal year.
While presenting the figures, Attorney General Usman stressed that the Ministry of Justice was determined to improve the speed of case handling. Long delays in prosecution have been one of the biggest obstacles in Nigeria’s criminal justice system, often causing loss of evidence, prolonged detention of suspects, and frustration for victims seeking justice.
He said the Ministry has developed new strategies based on the ACJL, including setting clear timelines for filing charges, completing investigations, and holding court sessions.
“Our aim is to fast-track the criminal justice process. We want cases to move faster and avoid the kind of delays that discourage victims and allow suspects to spend unnecessary time in detention,” Usman said.
He added that the Ministry plans to engage more closely with the police and other investigative bodies to ensure that cases sent to the Ministry are properly prepared before they reach the courts.
In her remarks at the ceremony, the Bauchi State Chief Judge, Justice Rabi Umar, expressed concern over what she described as a recurring problem in the justice system: suspects being arraigned in court before proper investigations are carried out.
She explained that in many cases, the police or investigators wait until trials begin before making serious efforts to gather evidence. According to her, this practice creates significant delays and sometimes weakens the case against accused persons.
“In many cases, efforts to gather evidence are only initiated after the trial has begun,” she said. “This backward approach significantly delays justice and undermines public confidence in our legal system.”
The Chief Judge emphasised that justice can only be achieved when cases are well-investigated and properly prepared before they are taken to court. She called on law enforcement agencies to prioritise thorough investigations as required by law.
Justice Umar added that the Judiciary, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, has set up a committee to review the Bauchi State Administration of Criminal Justice Law. The committee is expected to propose changes that will help address existing problems and make the justice system more efficient.
Bauchi State is located in Nigeria’s North-East region, an area that has faced insecurity for over a decade due to insurgency, banditry, and communal clashes. Although Bauchi is considered relatively more peaceful than some neighbouring states like Borno and Yobe, it has continued to struggle with rising crime, including sexual violence, theft, and homicide.
In recent years, the state government and security agencies have made efforts to reduce crime through community policing, awareness campaigns, and legal reforms. However, many cases still suffer from slow investigations and delayed court processes, issues common across Nigeria’s judicial system.
The Bauchi Ministry of Justice has promised to strengthen partnerships between prosecutors, police investigators, judges, and traditional justice mechanisms such as community mediation. Officials say the reforms will help the state reduce crime and improve public trust in the justice system.
Attorney General Usman reassured the public that the government is committed to reducing delays and ensuring that every case receives proper attention. He also encouraged residents to continue reporting crimes, saying the state can only solve problems that are brought to its attention.
As the new legal year begins, both the Ministry of Justice and the Judiciary have promised to work together to improve the criminal justice process. Residents and stakeholders will be watching closely to see whether the new strategies lead to faster trials, better investigations, and a reduction in the rising number of serious crimes.
