Kano, Nigeria – A magistrates’ court in Kano, located at No. 47 in Norman’s Land, Fagge Local Government Area, has sentenced two TikTokers to one year in prison or a fine of N100,000 each for posting videos considered vulgar and offensive to religious and moral values in the state.
The defendants, Ahmad Isa and Maryam Musa, both residents of Ladainai in Hotoro Quarters, were arrested by the Kano State Censorship Board and arraigned before the court. They faced charges of criminal conspiracy and the distribution of illicit content on social media.
The prosecution, led by state counsel Barr. Garzali Maigari Bichi, presented the case against the duo, who pleaded guilty to the charges. Presiding over the case, Justice Hadiza Muhammad Hassan delivered the verdict, sentencing the TikTokers to one year in prison or an alternative fine of N100,000 each.
In her ruling, Justice Hassan urged the convicts to uphold good conduct and refrain from actions that could undermine societal values. The case highlights the ongoing efforts by authorities in Kano State to regulate content deemed inappropriate or offensive to the cultural and religious sensibilities of the community.
The sentencing has sparked discussions about the balance between freedom of expression and the enforcement of moral and religious standards in Nigeria. While some have supported the court’s decision as a necessary measure to protect societal values, others have raised concerns about potential overreach in regulating online content.
As the defendants decide whether to pay the fine or serve the prison term, the case serves as a reminder of the legal and cultural boundaries surrounding social media use in Nigeria.