Olayiwola Matthew
A Magistrate Court sitting in Kano has ordered the state’s Hisbah Board to facilitate the marriage of two popular TikTok content creators, Idris Mai Wushirya and Basira Yar Guda, within 60 days following their viral social media videos deemed “indecent” by state authorities.
Presiding Magistrate Halima Wali gave the directive on Monday, warning that failure to comply within the stipulated period would amount to contempt of court.
The court also instructed the Chairman of the Kano State Films and Video Censorship Board to oversee the execution of the marriage order, which has since generated intense public debate across social media platforms and in religious circles.
According to court records, the two content creators were recently arraigned for allegedly producing and circulating videos described as “obscene” and “contrary to Islamic moral values” by the Censorship Board.
The clips, which showed the duo engaging in romantic gestures, were said to have violated sections of the state’s laws governing public morality and content distribution.
Earlier, Mai Wushirya had been remanded in a correctional facility after authorities accused him of “immoral and demeaning acts” with his female colleague.
A top official of the Kano State Films and Video Censorship Board, who confirmed the development to Daily Trust on condition of anonymity, said the court’s ruling was meant to “restore moral decency and prevent further public outrage.”
“The Board considers this judgment as part of our collective effort to uphold the cultural and religious standards that guide our society,” the official said. “Kano State will not tolerate any form of obscenity or indecency, especially on public platforms.”
However, the decision has sparked widespread criticism, with several rights advocates and social media users questioning the legality and ethical justification of compelling adults to marry as punishment.
A Kano-based human rights lawyer, Barrister Auwal Sani, described the ruling as “deeply problematic and legally unsustainable.”
He said, “Marriage cannot be imposed by a court as a form of moral correction. It violates the constitutional rights of the individuals involved and sets a dangerous precedent.”
Meanwhile, the Hisbah Board has yet to officially respond to inquiries regarding how it intends to carry out the marriage order.
The Kano State Hisbah Board and the Censorship Board have in recent years intensified crackdowns on content creators, musicians, and filmmakers accused of promoting “immoral behavior,” citing the state’s adherence to Sharia law.