The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on December 3, 2025, arraigned Mohammed Suleiman Kumo, a Magistrate at the Chief Magistrate Court Pantami, before Justice H.H. Kereng of the Gombe High Court.
Kumo faces three-count charges relating to alleged extortion and bribery, brought by the Gombe Zonal Directorate of the EFCC.
According to the charge sheet, in one instance, Kumo allegedly received monetary benefits totaling One Million Naira through his Zenith Bank account from Adamu Ahmed, a Registrar in his court, in violation of Section 10(a)(i)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
In a separate count, he is accused of receiving an additional NN400,000 under similar circumstances.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Following the plea, the prosecution, led by Abubakar Aliyu, requested a trial date and that Kumo be remanded in Gombe State Correctional Centre.
The defence counsel, Adamu Bawa, filed a motion for bail, which the prosecution opposed.
Justice Kereng, after considering arguments from both sides, noted that Kumo had previously been granted administrative bail by the EFCC and had appeared in court from home.
Consequently, the judge granted interim bail pending a ruling on the formal bail application.
The case has been adjourned to January 13 and 14, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application and continuation of the trial.
