The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned Mohammed Kumo at the Gombe State High Court.
The magistrate faces bribery and extortion charges, brought by the EFCC before trial judge H.H. Kereng.
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EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale disclosed the the arraignment in a statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday.
In the first count, the EFCC accused Mr Kumo, serving at the Chief Magistrate Court, of accepting a payment of N1 million via Zenith Bank account number: 2273938871, an account registered in the name of a registrar in his court, identified as Adamu Ahmed.
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In another count, the EFCC alleged that Mr Kumo received N400,000 on or about 11 November 2024, again via the same registrar’s Zenith Bank account.
EFCC breach Section (a)(i)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 (CP‑Act 2000).
Mr Kumo pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The EFCC statement said the prosecution lawyer, Abubakar Aliyu, requested a trial date and asked that the defendant be remanded at the Gombe State Correctional Centre.
Meanwhile, the defence lawyer, Adamu Bawa, filed a bail application, which the prosecution opposed.
After hearing from both sides, Mr Kereng granted interim bail, noting that Mr Kumo had previously been given administrative bail by the EFCC and had come to court from home.
The court adjourned the case until 13 and 14 January 2026, for a ruling on bail and continuation of trial proceedings.
The case is one in a few instances of prosecution of members of the bench in the face of strong perception of judicial corruption among Nigerians.
Previous attempts by the EFCC to prosecute judges of superior courts of record, who are subject to stricter and more structured disciplinary regime, have run into a brick wall.
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In a landmark ruling in 2017, the Court of Appeal of Nigeria held that the EFCC “does not have the powers to investigate or prosecute serving judicial officers,” unless they have first been dismissed by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
In that case, involving a serving judge, Hyeladzira Nganjiwa, the appeal court struck out 14 corruption charges against him.
The Supreme Court has since affirmed the Court of Appeal’s verdict.
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