The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned a Gombe-based magistrate, Mohammed Suleiman Kumo, on charges of extortion and bribery involving more than one point four million naira.
Kumo appeared before Justice H. H. Kereng of the Gombe State High Court on Wednesday, where he was docked on a three-count charge filed by the EFCC’s Gombe Zonal Directorate.
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.”
Another count states that, “you Mohammed Suleiman Kumo being a Magistrate at Chief Magistrate Court Pantami, on or about November 11, 2024, did receive for yourself monetary benefit of four hundred thousand naira through your Zenith Bank account number 2273938871 belonging to one Adamu Ahmed, a Registrar in your court.”
The accused pleaded not guilty. Following his plea, EFCC counsel, Abubakar Aliyu asked the court to fix a trial date and remand the magistrate in the Gombe State Correctional Centre. Defence counsel Adamu Bawa, however, applied for bail, a request the prosecution strongly opposed.
Justice Kereng ruled that the defendant would remain on interim bail, noting that he had earlier enjoyed administrative bail from the EFCC and voluntarily appeared in court.
“Having recognized 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 matter was adjourned to January 13 and 14, 2026, for ruling on the bail application and continuation of hearing.
