Two convicted armed robbers have been sentenced to death, while seven other offenders will spend the remainder of their lives behind bars for crimes including kidnapping, rape, armed robbery, conspiracy and culpable homicide in Bauchi State.
The judgments were delivered by the High Courts of Bauchi State as part of criminal proceedings concluded in the last quarter of 2025. During the period, 51 cases involving 64 defendants were determined.
The offences tried during the quarter included armed robbery, kidnapping, conspiracy, culpable homicide, rape and fraud, among others.
The convictions were secured under relevant sections of the Penal Code, the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. R11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and the Bauchi State Penal Code, 2022.
The two men sentenced to death by hanging, Muhammad Maina and Yakubu Adamu, were found guilty of participating in violent robbery operations in different parts of the state.
The courts held that the prosecution established their culpability beyond reasonable doubt, thereby justifying the maximum punishment prescribed by law.
Seven other convicts were sentenced to life imprisonment without the option of a fine.
They are Shehu Isa, Adamu Adamu (also known as Nalele), Mohammed Bello, Kabiru Ahmed, Muhammad Jibrin (alias Al-Amin), Usman Bello (Maigamo), and Manu Umaru (also called Alhaji Manu).
They were convicted of offences ranging from rape and kidnapping to armed robbery, conspiracy and culpable homicide.
In addition, 11 persons were sentenced to three months’ imprisonment each without the option of a fine for fraud-related offences. Those convicted include Abubakar Shehu, Yusuf Aliyu Alhassan, Miracle Chidi, Dominic Lazarus, James Myaulompwa, Lawus Zakka, Sadiq Dosumo, Jude Titus, Joseph Olamide Adesunmila, Koche Samuel and Favour Odinaka.
Other defendants received varying prison terms of between three months and 10 years, with some given the option of fines ranging from N10,000 to N500,000, depending on the nature and severity of their offences.
A statement issued by the Information Officer of the Bauchi State Judicial Service Commission, Saleh Umar, noted that the courts reached their decisions after finding the accused persons guilty beyond reasonable doubt at the conclusion of their trials.
According to the statement, the courts expressed concern over the growing incidence of kidnapping and violent crime in the state, adding that the stiff penalties were intended to deter would-be offenders.
