The Department of State Services (DSS)has arraigned Kaduna-based social media activist, Abubakar Muhammad, widely known as Sultan before a Magistrates’ Court in Rigasa, Igabi Local Government Area.
Sultan was presented before Chief Magistrate Muhammad Musa on Monday, September 29, on charges of alleged extortion and criminal intimidation.
The DSS is accusing him of offences under the Kaduna State Penal Code Law of 2017.
According to the prosecution, the case arose from a petition filed by one Hafsat Yusuf-Paki, who alleged that the defendant operated fake social media accounts to demand payments in cryptocurrency and through a vendor. The prosecutor told the court: “The complainant alleged that the accused threatened to leak her indecent pictures if she refused to comply, and also issued kidnap threats.”
While investigators reportedly found no evidence to support the kidnapping claims, they said there was sufficient evidence of extortion and intimidation to justify 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
