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 allegations of bribery and extortion.
Kumo was brought before the court on December 3, 2025, on a three-count charge filed by the EFCC’s Gombe Zonal Directorate.
The charges accuse the magistrate of receiving monetary benefits totalling ₦1.4 million through the bank account of a court registrar, identified as Adamu Ahmed.
According to the EFCC, the alleged offences violated Section 10(a)(i)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
One of the charges 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, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 10(a)(i)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.”
EFCC Arraigns Magistrate for Alleged Bribery
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on December 3, 2025 arraigned Mohammed Suleiman Kumo before Justice H.H. Kereng of the Gombe High Court sitting in Gombe.
Kumo, a Magistrate, was arraigned on three count- charges… pic.twitter.com/Zo8QdsR7lT
— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) December 4, 2025
Another charge states, “That you, Mohammed Suleiman Kumo, being a Magistrate at Chief Magistrate Court Pantami, in such capacity, on or about the 11th day of November 2024 in Gombe State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did receive for yourself monetary benefit of ₦400,000 through your Zenith Bank Account Number 2273938871 belonging to one Adamu Ahmed, a Registrar in your court, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 10(a)(i)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.”
Kumo pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Following his plea, prosecuting counsel Abubakar Aliyu requested a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendant in the Gombe State Correctional Centre.
However, defence counsel Adamu Bawa moved a motion for bail, which the prosecution opposed on points of law.
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.
“Having recognised that the defendant was granted administrative bail by the EFCC and came to court from home, and based on that, I grant the defendant bail in the interim pending the ruling on his bail application,” the judge said.
The court adjourned the matter to January 13 and 14, 2026, for ruling on the bail application and continuation of the hearing.
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