Two convicted armed robbers have been sentenced to death by hanging, while seven other offenders were handed life imprisonment for offenses including kidnapping, rape, armed robbery, conspiracy and culpable homicide in Bauchi State.
The judgments were delivered by the High Courts of Bauchi State during criminal proceedings concluded in the last quarter of 2025. In the period under review, the courts determined 51 cases involving 64 defendants.
The offenses prosecuted included armed robbery, kidnapping, conspiracy, culpable homicide, rape, fraud and related crimes. Convictions were secured under provisions of the Penal Code, the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, and the Bauchi State Penal Code, 2022.
Those sentenced to death, Muhammad Maina and Yakubu Adamu, were found guilty of participating in violent robbery operations in different parts of the state. The courts ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, warranting 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). Their convictions ranged 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. Several other defendants received jail terms ranging from three months to 10 years, with some given the option of fines between ₦10,000 and ₦500,000, depending on the severity of their crimes.
A statement issued by the Information Officer of the Bauchi State Judicial Service Commission, Saleh Umar, said the courts arrived at their decisions after finding the accused persons guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
According to the statement, the judiciary expressed concern over the rising cases of kidnapping and violent crime in the state, noting that the stiff sentences were intended to serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders.
