The State Security Service (SSS) on Thursday arraigned a 28-year-old cyber café attendant, Chinwendu Josiah, on a three-count charge of criminal intimidation, anonymous communication and extortion.

The prosecutor, Mr Cliff Osagie, told the Abuja Chief Magistrates’ Court, presided over by Mrs Oyewunmi Oyebola, that the offences were committed between June 4, 2011 and Nov. 11, 2011.

He said that the accused sent threat messages via electronic mails to the U.S. Embassy, Abuja, University of Benin, University of Lagos and some government ministries.

Osagie said the accused identified himself as Musa and claimed to be a member of the Boko Haram sect.

He said that the intention of the accused, a resident of No 7 Ada St., off Benin Technical College Road, Benin City, was to intimidate the recipients to part with their money.

The prosecutor said the offence was punishable under Sections 398 and 291 of the Penal Code.

The accused pleaded not guilty while Oyebola adjourned the case to March 29 to enable Osagie to contact his family and also get a lawyer of his choice to defend him.

She ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody. (NAN)