The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned a serving Gombe State magistrate, Mohammed Suleiman Kumo, on charges of bribery and extortion totaling ₦1.4 million.
Kumo appeared before Justice H.H. Kereng of the Gombe State High Court on a three-count charge filed by the EFCC’s Gombe Zonal Directorate.
The charges allege that the magistrate received monetary benefits through the bank account of a court registrar, identified as Adamu Ahmed, in violation of Section 10(a)(i)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
One of the charges stated, “That you, Mohammed Suleiman Kumo, being a Magistrate at the Chief Magistrate Court, did receive for yourself monetary benefits of ₦1 million through Zenith Bank Account Number 2273938871 belonging to Adamu Ahmed, a Registrar in your court, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 10(a)(i)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.”
Another count alleged that Kumo, in the same capacity, received ₦400,000 through the same account on November 11, 2024, in Gombe.
Kumo pleaded not guilty to all charges. Following his plea, prosecuting counsel, Abubakar Aliyu, urged the court to remand the defendant at the Gombe State Correctional Centre. Defence counsel, Adamu Bawa, filed a motion for bail, which the prosecution opposed.
Justice Kereng granted Kumo interim bail, citing that he had previously been granted administrative bail by the EFCC and voluntarily appeared in court.
The court adjourned the matter to January 13 and 14, 2026, for ruling on the bail application and continuation of the trial.
The EFCC has intensified efforts to curb corruption within the judiciary, warning that public officers who engage in bribery and extortion would face prosecution.
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