Gombe Magistrate Jailed Two Years, Six Months for N1 Million Bribery

Gombe Magistrate Jailed Two Years, Six Months for N1 Million Bribery

Gombe, Nigeria – May 6, 2026 – In a significant move against judicial corruption, a Gombe State High Court has handed down a two-year, six-month prison sentence to Magistrate Mohammad Kumo for bribery. Justice H.H. Kereng delivered the verdict on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, also ordering Kumo to pay N500,000 as compensation to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for resources expended during the investigation and prosecution.

Kumo, who served at the Chief Magistrate Court, Pantami, was prosecuted by the EFCC on a three-count charge bordering on corruption, specifically for receiving a N1 million bribe.

The N1 Million Bribery Scheme

The case against Magistrate Kumo stemmed from a petition filed by two complainants, Abubakar Isa Jauro Kuna and Suleiman Haruna, to the Gombe State Ministry of Justice. The EFCC's investigation revealed that Kumo, on November 6, 2024, received the sum of N1 million through a Zenith Bank account belonging to a court registrar, Adamu Ahmed, while serving as a Chief Magistrate in Pantami.

Initially, Kumo pleaded not guilty to the charges when he was first arraigned on December 3, 2025. However, during a resumed hearing on May 5, 2026, his defence counsel informed the court of his client's intention to change his plea to guilty, which Kumo subsequently did after the charges were re-read.

Jurisdiction Challenge Overruled

Before his change of plea, the case saw a legal tussle over the court's jurisdiction. Kumo's counsel, Adamu Bawa, had argued that as a judicial officer, his client should properly be tried by the Judicial Service Commission. However, the prosecution counsel, A. Aliyu, countered, asserting that a magistrate does not fall under the category of judicial officers as defined by Section 318(1) of the 1999 Constitution.

In a ruling delivered on February 17, 2026, Justice Kereng sided with the prosecution, affirming the High Court's jurisdiction to hear the case, thereby paving the way for the eventual conviction.

Sentencing and Anti-Corruption Stance

Following Kumo's guilty plea, the prosecution urged the court to convict him and mandate the payment of N500,000 as compensation for the investigative and prosecutorial efforts. Delivering judgment, Justice Kereng convicted Kumo under Section 10(a)(i)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, underscoring the gravity of the offence.

“I hereby convict you for the offence of corruption… N500,000 is not excessive as compensation for investigation and prosecution,” the judge stated. The court then sentenced Kumo to two years and six months imprisonment, with an option of a N250,000 fine, in addition to the N500,000 compensation order. This judgment reiterates the judiciary's firm stance against corruption within its ranks, sending a clear message about accountability and the integrity of the judicial system.