A Gombe State High Court has convicted and sentenced a magistrate, Mohammad Suleiman Kumo, to two years and six months imprisonment for bribery, with an option of a N250,000 fine.
Kumo, who served at the Pantami Chief Magistrate Court, was arraigned on three-count charges bordering on corruption by the Gombe Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The court heard that on November 6, 2024, Kumo, in his capacity as a sitting magistrate, received N1 million through the court registrar, Adamu Ahmed.
He was first arraigned on December 3, 2025, before Justice H.H. Kereng and initially pleaded not guilty to the charges.
However, at the resumed hearing on Tuesday, his counsel, Barrister Adamu Bawa, informed the court of his decision to change his plea to guilty.
Following the plea, the prosecution counsel, Barrister A. Aliyu, urged the court to convict the defendant and order compensation.
Delivering judgment, Justice Kereng found Kumo guilty under Section 10(a)(i)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The judge sentenced him to two years and six months imprisonment with an option of a N250,000 fine.
The court also ordered the convict to pay N500,000 as compensation to the EFCC.
