The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a serving magistrate, Mohammed Suleiman Kumo, before Justice H.H. Kereng of the Gombe State High Court on a three-count charge bordering on bribery and extortion.
Kumo was arraigned on December 3, 2025, following investigations by the EFCC’s Gombe Zonal Directorate, which accused him of receiving a total of ₦1.4 million in illicit benefits through the bank account of a court registrar, Adamu Ahmed.
According to the charge sheet, the magistrate allegedly received ₦1 million and another ₦400,000 through Zenith Bank account number 2273938871, belonging to the registrar. The anti-graft agency said the acts contravene Section 10(a)(i)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
One of the counts reads: “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 one Adamu Ahmed, a Registrar in your court…”
Kumo pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Following his plea, prosecuting counsel Abubakar Aliyu asked the court for a trial date and sought an order remanding the defendant in the Gombe State Correctional Centre. But defence counsel, Adamu Bawa, moved a motion for bail, which the prosecution opposed.
In a brief ruling, Justice Kereng noted that the defendant had earlier been granted administrative bail by the EFCC and voluntarily appeared in court from home. On that basis, the court granted him interim bail pending a ruling on the formal bail application.
The matter was adjourned to January 13 and 14, 2026, for ruling on the bail application and continuation of trial.
