Magistrate Mohammed Suleiman Kumo has been arraigned before the Gombe State High Court over allegations that he received N1.4 million in bribes.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought him before Justice H.H. Kereng on Wednesday on a three-count charge bordering on extortion and bribery.
When the matter came up, EFCC told the court that Kumo, while serving as a magistrate at the Chief Magistrate Court, allegedly received N1 million through a Zenith Bank account belonging to Adamu Ahmed, a registrar in his court.
The charge states that the act contravenes Section 10(a)(i)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
A second count alleges that on November 11, 2024, Kumo also received an additional N400,000 through the same registrar’s bank account, again in violation of the anti-corruption law.
Kumo pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Prosecuting counsel Abubakar Aliyu asked the court to fix a trial date and requested that the magistrate be remanded in the Gombe State Correctional Centre.
However, counsel for the defendant, Adamu Bawa applied for bail, which the prosecution opposed on a point of law.
Justice Kereng granted the defendant interim bail, noting that he had earlier been released on administrative bail by the EFCC and voluntarily appeared in court.
The judge stated that the interim bail would remain in effect pending a formal ruling on the bail application.
The case was adjourned to January 13 and 14, 2026, for the bail ruling and continuation of the hearing.
