Gombe Magistrate Arraigned For Alleged Bribery

A Magistrate identified as Mohammed Suleiman Kumo has been arraigned before Justice H.H. Kereng of the Gombe High Court sitting in Gombe for allegedly receiving N1.4 bribes.

Kumo was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on December 3, 2025 three count- charges bordering on extortion and bribery.

In the charges filed against him, EFCC alleged that the Magistrate received the N1.4 million bribe in two instalments.

The anti-graft agency said Kumo used the Zenith Bank account of the Registrar of his court identified as Adamu Ahmed to receive the bribes.

Count one of the charges reads: “That you Mohammed Suleiman Kumo being a Magistrate at Chief Magistrate Court did receive for yourself monetary benefits of One Million Naira through Zenith Bank Account Number 2273938871 belonging to one Adamu Ahmed ,a Registrar in your court thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 10(a)(i)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

Count 3 of the charges reads: “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 Four hundred Thousand Naira (N400,000) through your Zenith Bank Account Number 2273938871 belonging to one Adamu Ahmed , a Registrar in your court thereby committed an offence contrary to an punishable under Section 10(a)(i)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

However, Magistrate Kumo pleaded not guilty to the charges.

This prompted the prosecution counsel , Abubakar Aliyu to ask the court for a trial date and to remand the defendant in Gombe State Correctional Centre.

But counsel to the defendant, Adamu Bawa moved a motion for bail which was vehemently opposed by the prosecution on point of law.