Corruption Scandal Explodes: EFCC Drags Sitting Magistrate To Court

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a serving magistrate, Mohammed Suleiman Kumo, on allegations of bribery and extortion.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Kumo, who serves at the Chief Magistrate Court in Pantami, appeared before Justice H.H. Kereng of the Gombe State High Court on December 3, 2025, following a three-count charge brought against him by the EFCC’s Gombe Zonal Directorate.

According to the charge sheet, the magistrate is accused of receiving a total of ₦1.4 million through the bank account of a court registrar, Adamu Ahmed. The sum allegedly includes ₦1 million and another ₦400,000 received on November 11, 2024, both paid into the registrar’s Zenith Bank account.

The offences contravene Section 10(a)(i)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, which prohibits public officials from soliciting or receiving benefits in connection with their official duties. The charge carries a penalty of up to seven years imprisonment upon conviction.

Magistrate Kumo pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Prosecuting counsel, Abubakar Aliyu, requested that the defendant be remanded in a correctional facility pending trial, but defence counsel, Adamu Bawa, applied for bail.

Justice Kereng granted the defendant temporary bail, noting that he had previously been released on administrative bail by the EFCC and willingly presented himself before the court.

The case was adjourned to January 13 and 14, 2026, for the determination of the formal bail motion and commencement of trial.