Amnesty International has denounced the imprisonment of two TikTok users in Kano State, Mubarak Muhammad (Uniquepikin) and Nazifi Muhammad for allegedly defaming the persona of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State in one of their comedic performances.
The pair were remanded in custody after presiding magistrate, Aminu Gambari, issued a ruling on Monday in which he stipulated, among other things, that the skit creators each get 20 cane strokes as punishment.
Osai Ojigho, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, demanded the skit creators’ immediate and unconditional release a day after the court decision.
The two, according to Ojigho, were detained without being given a chance to be tried because they were peacefully expressing their human rights.
The statement signed by AI’s spokesman, Isa Sanusi, read;
Amnesty International condemns the sentencing of TikTokers Mubarak Muhammad (Uniquepikin) and Nazifi Muhammad for allegedly defaming the governor of Kano state Ganduje in northern Nigeria.
The decision to remand them in prison for a week without trial is a brazen violation of their fair trial rights. Satirizing those in authority is not a crime. Nigerian authorities must immediately quash this appalling sentence.
Authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Mubarak Muhammad and Nazifi Muhammad as they are sentenced solely for peacefully exercising their human rights.
Nigerian authorities must respect, protect, promote, and fulfill the right of everyone to freedom of expression. The outrageous court order to flog and fine them is heavy-handed and clearly aimed at gagging young Nigerians and restricting their access to social media.
These outrageous sentences are just the latest to be meted out by Nigeria’s cruel justice system and expose the authorities’ complete disregard for freedom of expression. Nigerian authorities must quash these cruel sentences and immediately and unconditionally release Mubarak Muhammad and Nazifi Muhammad.
Authorities must ensure that Mubarak Muhammad and Nazifi Muhammad are protected from torture and other ill-treatment.
