From Bench to Bar: Magistrate Jailed for ₦1m Bribery Scandal

After pleading guilty to receiving N1 million bribe, a Magistrate in Gombe State, Muhammad Suleiman Kumo, has been sentenced to 30 months imprisonment.

Kumo, who presided over the Chief Magistrate Court in Pantami, received the illicit payment in November 2024 via a bank account belonging to the court registrar, Adamu Ahmed.

The conviction follows an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), sparked by a report from the Gombe Ministry of Justice.

The original complaint was lodged by Abubakar Isa Jauro Kuna and Suleiman Haruna.

According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, Kumo was first arraigned on December 3, 2025, facing a three-count bribery charge brought by the agency’s Gombe Zonal Directorate.

On December 30, 2025, defense counsel Adamu Bawa filed a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction.

He argued that Kumo, as a judicial officer, should first face the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) for any alleged misconduct.

This motion was countered by EFCC prosecutor A. Aliyu, who cited Section 318(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to argue that a magistrate does not fall under the specific constitutional definition of a “judicial officer” required for such an exemption.

On February 17, 2026, the judge upheld the prosecution’s argument, ruling that the court did indeed have the jurisdiction to proceed with the trial.

Count one of the count charges reads: “That you Muhammad Suleiman Kumo being a magistrate at Chief magistrate Court Pantami in such capacity on or about the 6th day of November 2024 in Gombe , Gombe State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did receive for yourself, monetary benefit of One Million Naira (N1,000,000) through Zenith bank account number 2273938871 belonging to one Adamu Ahmed , a registrar in your court , thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 10(a)(i)(ii) of the Corrupt practices and other Related Offences Act 2000”

He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

At the resumed sitting on May 5, 2026 counsel to the defendant informed the court that the defendant would like to change his plea from ” not guilty to guilty.”

When the charges were re- read to the defendant, he pleaded guilty.

Following the guilty plea, the prosecution counsel, stated that the prosecution had spent time and resources in the prosecution of the case before the change of plea.

He urged the court to convict the defendant and order him in addition to the sentence to pay the sum of Five Hundred thousand Naira (N500,000) as compensation to the Commission.

Delivering judgment, Justice Kereng noted the severity of the offence, affirming that, “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 of the ICPC Act. Also, N500,000 is not excessive as compensation for investigation and prosecution “.

He also sentenced Kumo to two years and six months imprisonment with an option of N250,000 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) as fine and ordered him to pay the sum of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) as compensation to the Commission.