DSS arraigns Kaduna activist Sultan for alleged extortion, intimidation
A Kaduna-based social media activist, Abubakar Muhammad, popularly known as Sultan, has been arraigned before a Magistrates’ Court in Rigasa, Igabi Local Government Area, over alleged extortion and criminal intimidation.
The Department of State Services (DSS) brought Muhammad before Chief Magistrate Muhammad Musa on Monday, September 29, accusing him of violating sections of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017.
The case stemmed from a petition filed by Hafsat Yusuf-Paki, who alleged that the defendant used fake social media accounts to demand payments in cryptocurrency and through a vendor.
“The complainant alleged that the accused threatened to leak her indecent photos if she failed to pay and also issued kidnap threats,” the prosecution stated.
Investigators said they found no evidence to support the kidnapping allegation but confirmed there was enough proof of extortion and intimidation to warrant the arraignment.
Muhammad pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecution sought his remand, but the court instead granted bail set at ₦1 million with two sureties in like sum.
Chief Magistrate Musa ordered that the sureties must be civil servants of at least Grade Level 16 in Kaduna State, and they must provide passport photographs and bank statements showing a balance of at least ₦1 million. The court stressed that no cash deposit was required, but the bail sum would be forfeited if the defendant failed to appear.
The case has been adjourned until October 6, 2025, for continuation of hearing.
DSS officials said Muhammad was arrested on Saturday, September 27 in Rigachikun, where investigators recovered social media accounts, digital traces, and payment records allegedly linked to the offence.
