Gombe Magistrate Sentenced to 2.5 Years for Bribery

On February 17, 2026, Justice H.H. Kereng of the Gombe State High Court sentenced Magistrate Mohammad Kumo to two years and six months in prison for bribery.

Kumo faced three counts of corruption, prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He was initially arraigned on December 3, 2025, but challenged the court's jurisdiction.

However, the court upheld its jurisdiction to hear the case. Kumo, who served as the Chief Magistrate of Pantami, received N1 million into a Zenith Bank account belonging to the court registrar, Adamu Ahm.

After initially pleading not guilty, Kumo changed his plea to guilty on May 5, 2026. The prosecution urged the court to convict him and order him to pay N500,000 as compensation for investigative costs.

The court found Kumo guilty under Section 10(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, describing the offense as serious.