The Department of State Services (DSS) has brought a Kaduna-based social media personality, Abubakar Muhammad, widely recognized as Sultan, before a Magistrate’s Court in Rigasa, located within the Igabi local government area of Kaduna State.
He appeared before Chief Magistrate Muhammad Musa facing two charges related to extortion and criminal intimidation through anonymous communication, violations under the Kaduna State Penal Code Law of 2017.
According to the prosecution, the case arose from a complaint filed by Hafsat Yusuf Paki, who accused Sultan of threatening her via fabricated social media profiles and demanding payments in cryptocurrency and through a third-party vendor.
The prosecutor explained to the court, “The complainant claims the defendant threatened to expose her compromising photos publicly if she did not comply with his demands, including issuing threats of kidnapping.”
“Although the investigation did not confirm any kidnapping elements, there is sufficient evidence to proceed with charges of extortion and criminal intimidation,” the prosecutor added.
Denied the allegations, Sultan pleaded not guilty. The DSS requested that he be held in custody, but the Magistrate granted bail set at ₦1 million, with two sureties each pledging the same amount.
The court stipulated that the sureties must be Kaduna State civil servants at a minimum of Grade Level 16, providing passport photographs and bank statements reflecting a balance of at least ₦1 million. No upfront cash deposit was required; however, the bail amount would be forfeited if Sultan failed to appear in court.
The matter was scheduled for continuation on October 6, 2025.
Sultan’s arrest took place on September 27 in Rigachikun, where authorities reportedly seized the social media accounts linked to the alleged offenses, along with digital evidence and transaction records.
