The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has charged Mohammed Kumo, a magistrate in Gombe State’s Chief Magistrate Court, with extortion and bribery.
According to a statement issued Thursday, Kumo was hauled before Justice H.H. Kereng of the Gombe High Court on Wednesday on a three-count charge filed by the EFCC’s Gombe Zonal Directorate.
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 One Million Naira through Zenith Bank Account Number 2273938871 belonging to one Adamu Ahmed, a Registrar in your court, thereby committing an offense contrary to and punishable under Section 10(a)(i)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.”
Another count states, “That you, Mohammed Suleiman Kumo, being a Magistrate at the Chief Magistrate Court, Pantami, on or about the 11th day of November 2024 in Gombe State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did receive for yourself a monetary benefit of Four Hundred Thousand Naira (N400,000) 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.”
According to an EFCC statement posted on its official X feed, the defendant has pleaded not guilty to all counts.
This, according to the EFCC, caused the prosecution counsel, Abubakar Aliyu, to obtain a trial date and remand Kumo in the Gombe State Correctional Centre.
According to the statement, the defense attorney, Adamu Bawa, filed an application for bail, which the prosecution vigorously opposed on legal grounds.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Kereng issued the following ruling: “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 adjourned the case until January 13 and 14, 2026, to rule on the bail motion and continue the hearing.
This is not the first time a judicial officer has been arrested and tried for alleged fraud.
In 2016, the EFCC charged an Area Court judge, Umar Gwani, with alleged fraud after accusing him of collecting money from the public under false pretense and conspiracy.
