A High Court sitting in Gombe State has convicted and sentenced a magistrate, Mohammad Suleiman Kumo, to two years and six months imprisonment for bribery.
Justice H.H. Kereng of the Gombe High Court delivered the judgment on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, after the defendant changed his plea from not guilty to guilty during the proceedings.
Kumo was initially arraigned on December 3, 2025, by the Gombe Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a three-count charge bordering on bribery. He had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The case, however, took a turn on May 5, 2026, when defence counsel, Adamu Bawa, informed the court of his client’s decision to change his plea. Upon re-arraignment, Kumo admitted guilt to the charges.
Earlier in the trial, the defendant had challenged the jurisdiction of the court, arguing that as a judicial officer, he should be tried by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
The prosecution counsel, A. Aliyu, opposed the motion, maintaining that a magistrate does not fall within the definition of a judicial officer under Section 318(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
In a ruling delivered on February 17, 2026, Justice Kereng dismissed the objection and affirmed the court’s jurisdiction to hear the matter.
One of the charges against Kumo stated that, in his capacity as a magistrate at the Chief Magistrate Court in Pantami, he received a sum of ₦1,000,000 through a Zenith Bank account belonging to a court registrar, Adamu Ahmed, on November 6, 2024. The offence contravenes Section 10(a)(i)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Following his guilty plea, prosecution counsel noted that significant time and resources had already been expended on the case before the defendant’s change of plea. He urged the court to not only convict Kumo but also order him to pay ₦500,000 as compensation to the Commission.
In his judgment, Justice Kereng emphasised the gravity of the offence and upheld the prosecution’s request for compensation.
“I hereby convict you for the offence of corruption under Section 10(a)(i)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000. Also, ₦500,000 is not excessive as compensation for investigation and prosecution,” the judge ruled.
The court subsequently sentenced Kumo to two years and six months imprisonment with an option of a ₦250,000 fine.
He was also ordered to pay ₦500,000 as compensation to the EFCC.
The case originated from a petition forwarded by the Gombe State Ministry of Justice following complaints by Abubakar Isa Jauro Kuna and Suleiman Haruna, who accused the magistrate of engaging in bribery. The EFCC investigated the allegations, leading to Kumo’s prosecution and eventual conviction.
