Gombe Court Jails Magistrate for Bribery

Our Reporter 

A High Court sitting in Gombe has convicted and sentenced a magistrate, Mohammad Suleiman Kumo, to two years and six months’ imprisonment for bribery.

The judgment was delivered by H.H. Kereng, who found Kumo guilty under provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

Kumo was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a three-count charge bordering on bribery. 

He was first arraigned on December 3, 2025, but initially pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The defendant later challenged the court’s jurisdiction through his counsel, Adamu Bawa, arguing that as a judicial officer, any disciplinary action should be handled by the Judicial Service Commission. 

However, the EFCC, through its counsel A. Aliyu, countered that Kumo, as a magistrate, did not fall within the category of judicial officers contemplated under Section 318(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

In a ruling delivered on February 17, 2026, Justice Kereng upheld the prosecution’s argument and affirmed the court’s jurisdiction to hear the matter.

One of the charges stated that Kumo, while serving at the Chief Magistrate Court in Pantami, received a bribe of ₦1 million through a bank account belonging to a court registrar, in November 2024.

At the resumed hearing on May 5, 2026, the defendant changed his plea from not guilty to guilty. 

Following the plea, the prosecution informed the court that significant time and resources had been expended in the course of the trial and urged the court to convict the defendant and award compensation.

Delivering judgment, Justice Kereng emphasised the gravity of the offence and accordingly sentenced Kumo to two years and six months in prison, with an option of a ₦250,000 fine. 

The court also ordered him to pay ₦500,000 as compensation to the EFCC for the cost of investigation and prosecution.

The case originated from petitions submitted to the Gombe State Ministry of Justice by two complainants, Abubakar Isa Jauro Kuna and Suleiman Haruna, who accused the magistrate of demanding and receiving bribes.

The EFCC said the conviction underscores ongoing efforts to strengthen accountability and integrity within Nigeria’s judicial system.