Gombe Court Jails Magistrate for Bribery, Orders ₦500,000 Compensation

Gombe Court Jails Magistrate for Bribery, Orders ₦500,000 Compensation

Justice H.H. Kereng of the Gombe State High Court has convicted and sentenced a magistrate, Mohammad Suleiman Kumo, to two years and six months imprisonment for bribery.

Kumo, who served at the Chief Magistrate Court in Pantami, Gombe State, was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a three-count charge bordering on corruption.

The case, which commenced on December 3, 2025, initially faced a legal challenge when the defendant, through his counsel Adamu Bawa, filed a preliminary objection questioning the court’s jurisdiction. He argued that as a judicial officer, he should be subject to disciplinary action by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

However, the prosecution, led by A. Aliyu, countered that Kumo, as a magistrate, did not fall within that category 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 case.

According to the charge, Kumo received a bribe of ₦1 million through a Zenith Bank account belonging to a court registrar, in violation of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

At a resumed hearing on May 5, 2026, the defendant changed his plea from not guilty to guilty after the charges were re-read to him. Following the plea, the prosecution urged the court to convict and impose additional compensation, citing the time and resources expended during the trial.

In his judgment, Justice Kereng described the offence as serious and upheld the provisions of the law, convicting Kumo under Section 10(a)(i)(ii) of the Act. He sentenced the convict to two years and six months imprisonment, with an option of a ₦250,000 fine.

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

The case stemmed from complaints filed by individuals to the Gombe State Ministry of Justice, prompting an investigation that led to Kumo’s arrest, prosecution, and eventual conviction.

Gombe Court Jails Magistrate for Bribery, Orders ₦500,000 Compensation