Blogger working with NMS charged with extortion

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 24 – Abdullah Musa, a blogger, was on Monday presented at the Mililani Law courts and charged for extorting a Nairobi based businessman Abass Ibrahim Khalif.

Musa is said to have posted unsubstantiated accusations regarding the businessman on his social media pages and later demanded money in order to withdraw the posts from his Facebook page.

The accused is said to have shared several posts accompanied by videos between April 20 and 25, 2021.

“The accused while in Nairobi County is said to have intentionally extorted money from Abass Ibrahim Khalif,” read the police report.

Appearing before Milimani Law Courts Magistrate Martha Nazushi, the accused who is said to be an employee of the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS), said he is an acquaintance of the businessman.

Despite attempts by Abass to reach out to the accused to pull down the posts, he repeatedly posted the accusations on his Facebook page.

“He demanded money and threatened to post more stories and videos,” the court heard.

Musa is said to be a former employee of the Mombasa County Government.

At some point, he had also been employed by the businessman.

He pleaded not guilty and sought the court’s leniency as the prosecution objected to have him released on bail.

The blogger will remain in police custody for seven days pending an inquiry before the bail and bond hearing.