Magistrate Arraigned In Court Over Allegation Of N1.4m Bribe

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the Magistrate, Kumo, has been charged before Justice H.H. Kereng of the Gombe State High Court on a three-count charge of bribery and extortion under the Criminal Law of the State.

The Magistrate, Kumo, at Pantami Magisterial District was brought before the court on 3rd December, 2025, on charges filed by the EFCC’s Gombe Zonal Directorate.

​The anti-graft commission accused Magistrate Kumo of receiving monetary benefits totaling ₦1.4 million via the bank account of a court registrar,  Adamu Ahmed, on the alleged offence  in violation of Section 10(a)(i)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

The EFCC specifically alleged the defendant on two instances of receiving money: ₦1,000,000 received through the Registrar’s Zenith Bank Account (Number 2273938871) ₦400,000 received on or about November 11, 2024, also through the same Registrar’s Zenith Bank account, citing section of the anti-graft act which criminalizes a person who, on account of anything already done or to be afterwards done in the discharge of official duties, asks for, receives, or obtains property or benefits for himself or any other person.

The punishment for violating this section is imprisonment for seven years.

However, Magistrate Kumo pleaded not guilty to all three charges.

The Prosecuting counsel, Abubakar Aliyu, requested a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendant at the Gombe State Correctional Centre.

But the defence counsel, Adamu Bawa, moved a motion for bail, which the prosecution opposed.

However, the presiding judge, Justice Kereng, granted the defendant interim bail.

The judge justified the decision by noting that Kumo had previously been granted administrative bail by the EFCC and voluntarily appeared in court from home.

The Court adjourned the matter till 13th and 14th January, 2026, for a ruling on the formal bail application and the commencement of the hearing.