A magistrate court in Kano, Nigeria, has ordered two local TikTok influencers to get married within 60 days. This unusual ruling followed the viral circulation of videos showing the pair engaging in intimate, romantic displays on the platform.
Kano is the largest city in Nigeria’s socially conservative northern region.
The Scandalous Content
The TikTok personalities involved are Idris Mai Wushirya and Basira Yar Guda. Videos shared online showed the couple cuddling and kissing. These clips drew significant criticism among some Kano residents.
Authorities deemed the content “indecent” and contrary to the moral and religious values of the state. Mai Wushirya and Yar Guda were arraigned on allegations of producing and sharing obscene material online.
A Court Mandate
The magistrate court issued the binding order on Monday, 20 October. The court instructed Kano’s sharia police, known as the Hisbah, to solemnise the marriage.
The deadline for the wedding is set at 60 days.
Kano state judicial spokesman, Baba-Jibo Ibrahim, explained the reasoning behind the decision.
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“The magistrate court gave the order for the Hisbah to join the man and the woman in marriage since they are so deeply in love as to make romantic displays on TikTok,”.
The court warned that failure to comply with the directive would be considered contempt of court.
The Enforcement Begins
Prior to the ruling, Mai Wushirya, who has previously been in trouble with the authorities over his videos, was arrested and remanded in custody. Yar Guda, however, went into hiding.
The Hisbah confirmed receiving the court’s order and stated they had already started making preparations for the wedding. Abba Sufi, Hisbah’s director-general, indicated a swift response was expected.
“Although the court said we should conduct the marriage within 60 days, we are determined to do it as soon as possible,” Sufi told AFP.
The Hisbah summoned Mai Wushirya’s parents. They gave their “explicit consent” for the marriage. Efforts are underway by the Hisbah to contact Yar Guda’s family.
Government Support and Legal Context
The Kano State Films and Video Censorship Board Chairman has been tasked with supervising the enforcement of the marriage order.
Furthermore, the state government is reportedly planning to purchase a house for the prospective couple. This is to meet the bride’s condition that they should not live in a rented home.
Kano is one of a dozen predominantly Muslim states in northern Nigeria. In these regions, sharia law is implemented alongside common law.
State authorities assert that the viral videos breached local laws that ban the creation and circulation of indecent or sexually suggestive content.
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