Mohammed Suleiman Kumo, a magistrate, has been arraigned before a Gombe high court over a N1.4 million bribery allegation.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Kumo on Wednesday before H.H. Kereng, the presiding judge, on a three count- charge bordering on extortion and bribery.
Count one of the charges 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 of the charges reads: “That you, Mohammed Suleiman Kumo, being a Magistrate at 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 a monetary benefit of four hundred thousand naira (N400,000) 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.”
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The defendant pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.
Abubakar Aliyu, the prosecution counsel, asked the court for a trial date and to remand the defendant in Gombe state Correctional Centre.
However, Adamu Bawa, counsel to Kumo, moved a motion for bail which was opposed by the prosecution on point of law.
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The judge granted bail to the defendant pending the ruling on his application.
“Having recognised 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,” Kereng said.
The judge therefore adjourned the case to January 13 and 14, 2026, for ruling on the bail application and hearing of the case.
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