By RismadarVoice Reporter, December 5, 2025
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 over allegations of bribery and extortion amounting to ₦1.4 million.
Kumo was brought before the court on December 3, 2025, on a three-count charge filed by the EFCC’s Gombe Zonal Directorate.
The commission alleges that the magistrate received illicit monetary benefits through the bank account of a court registrar, Adamu Ahmed, in violation of Section 10(a)(i)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
One of the charges reads in part:
“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… thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 10(a)(i)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.”
Another charge alleges that on November 11, 2024, Kumo received an additional ₦400,000 through the same account for his personal benefit.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Following the plea, prosecuting counsel Abubakar Aliyu requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the magistrate at the Gombe State Correctional Centre.
However, defence counsel Adamu Bawa moved a counter-motion for bail, which the prosecution opposed on legal grounds.
In a brief ruling, Justice Kereng noted that the defendant had previously been granted administrative bail by the EFCC and had voluntarily appeared in court.
“Having recognised that the defendant was granted administrative bail by the EFCC and came to court from home… I grant the defendant bail in the interim pending the ruling on his bail application,” the judge held.
The matter was adjourned to January 13 and 14, 2026, for ruling on the bail application and continuation of the trial.
