Court gavel
Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned Kaduna social media activist Abubakar Muhammad, widely known as Sultan, on charges of alleged extortion and criminal intimidation.
Muhammad appeared before Chief Magistrate Muhammad Musa at a Magistrates’ Court in Rigasa, located in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on Monday. He is facing a two-count charge under the Kaduna State Penal Code Law of 2017.
According to the prosecution, the case stems from a petition filed by Hafsat Yusuf-Paki, who accused Muhammad of operating anonymous social media accounts used to threaten her and demand payment in cryptocurrency through a third-party vendor.
“The complainant alleged that the accused threatened to leak her indecent pictures if she refused to comply, and also issued kidnap threats,” the prosecution told the court.
While the investigation did not find concrete evidence of an actual kidnapping attempt, the prosecutor said that a prima facie case of extortion and intimidation was established, prompting the arraignment.
Muhammad pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Although the prosecution sought to have him remanded in custody, the court granted bail set at ₦1 million.
The bail conditions require two sureties, both of whom must be Kaduna State civil servants not below Grade Level 16. Additionally, the sureties must submit recent passport photographs and bank statements showing a minimum balance of ₦1 million.
Magistrate Musa clarified that the bail does not require a cash deposit, but warned that the bail amount would be forfeited should the defendant fail to appear in court.
The case has been adjourned until October 6, 2025, for further proceedings.
Muhammad was taken into custody on Saturday in Rigachikun, where DSS operatives reportedly found social media accounts, digital records, and payment details believed to be linked to the case.
