Kaduna DSS Arraigns Social Media Activist Over Alleged Extortion

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday arraigned Kaduna-based social media activist, Abubakar Muhammad, popularly known as Sultan, before a Magistrate Court in Rigasa, Igabi Local Government Area, over alleged extortion and criminal intimidation.

Sultan faced a two-count charge bordering on extortion and criminal intimidation by anonymous communication, contrary to the Penal Code Law of Kaduna State, 2017. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The DSS prosecution said the case followed a petition by Hafsat Yusuf Paki, who alleged that Sultan, using fake social media accounts, threatened to release her indecent pictures unless she paid him via cryptocurrency and a Point of Sale (POS) vendor.

“The complainant alleged that the accused also issued threats of kidnapping. Although our investigation did not confirm any kidnapping plot, there is a prima facie case of extortion and criminal intimidation,” the DSS prosecutor told the court.

The magistrate granted Sultan bail of ₦1 million with two sureties in the same sum. The court stipulated that the sureties must be civil servants at Grade Level 16 or above with valid passports and bank statements showing not less than ₦1 million. No cash deposit was required, but the amount would be forfeited if the accused fails to appear in court.

The hearing was adjourned to October 6, 2025, for continuation.

Sultan was arrested on September 27 at Rigachikun, where DSS operatives reportedly recovered the social media handles allegedly used for the offence, along with digital footprints and payment records. According to the DSS, Sultan allegedly operated under fake handles — @OZugwai40986 on X (formerly Twitter) and @Zugwai75 on Instagram — to threaten the complainant and demand payments via crypto and POS platforms.

The DSS emphasized that the arrest was linked to alleged cybercrime activities and not to political matters. “The complainant was concerned for his safety and that of his family, prompting him to report the matter to the DSS,” a statement said.