The Economic Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned Mohammed Kumo at the Gombe State High Court.
In a statement by the agency, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale disclosed that Kumo, before trial judge H.H. Kereng on Wednesday on a three-count charge filed by the EFCC’s Gombe Zonal Directorate.
One of the counts 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.”
Another count states, “That you, Mohammed Suleiman Kumo, being a Magistrate at the Chief Magistrate Court, Pantami, 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 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.”
According to the EFCC statement shared on its official X handle, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges.
This, EFCC disclosed, prompted the prosecution counsel, Abubakar Aliyu, to request a trial date and ask that Kumo be remanded in the Gombe State Correctional Centre.
The court adjourned the case until 13 and 14 January 2026, for a ruling on bail and continuation of trial proceedings.
The case is one in a few instances of prosecution of members of the bench in the face of strong perception of judicial corruption among Nigerians.
Previous attempts by the EFCC to prosecute judges of superior courts of record, who are subject to stricter and more structured disciplinary regime, have run into a brick wall.