Special Report

Court Grants Bail To Gombe Magistrate Kumo Over Extortion And Bribery Involving ₦1.4 Million Received Through Registrar’s Account

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned Mohammed Suleiman Kumo before Justice H.H. Kereng at the Gombe High Court in Gombe.

According to a post on X by the commission, Kumo was arraigned on three counts related to extortion and bribery. The charges were filed by the EFCC’s Gombe Zonal Directorate.

Count One 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 offence contrary to and punishable under Section 10(a)(i)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”

Count Three states: “That you, Mohammed Suleiman Kumo, being a Magistrate at the 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 (₦400,000) through your 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.”

Kumo pleaded not guilty. Prosecution counsel, Abubakar Aliyu, subsequently requested a trial date and asked the court to remand him at the Gombe State Correctional Centre. Defence counsel, Adamu Bawa, applied for bail, which the prosecution opposed on points of law.

Justice Kereng, after hearing both sides, stated: “Having recognized that the defendant was previously granted administrative bail by the EFCC and came to court from home, I grant the defendant bail in the interim pending the ruling on his bail application.”

The court adjourned the case to January 13 and 14, 2026, for the ruling on bail and the commencement of the trial.

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