By A Magistrate Court in Kano has sentenced two TikTok users, Ahmad Isa and Maryam Musa, to one year in prison each for sharing videos considered offensive to religious and moral values in the state.
The pair were arrested by the Kano State Censorship Board, which accused them of violating public decency through content they posted on social media. The case quickly drew attention due to the growing debate over online content regulation in the region.
During the court session, the prosecutor, Garzali Maigari Bichi, told the court that the duo conspired to create and distribute the videos, which sparked public outrage and were deemed inappropriate under Kano’s moral and religious codes.
Both Ahmad and Maryam pleaded guilty to the charges of criminal conspiracy and sharing illicit content online. Their guilty plea led the court to hand down the one-year prison sentence without an option of fine.
The sentencing has divided opinions, with some residents supporting the court’s decision as necessary to uphold cultural and religious standards, while others argue it highlights the shrinking space for creative freedom in the digital age.
The Kano State Censorship Board has vowed to intensify monitoring of social media platforms to prevent similar occurrences, warning content creators to respect cultural sensitivities while exercising their right to expression.
