Metro

 Kano court orders TikTok duo to marry over ‘indecent’ videos

What happened
A magistrate court in Kano, presided over by Halima Wali, ordered that two popular TikTok content creators — Idris Mai Wushirya and Basira Yar Guda — marry within 60 days.

The order follows viral videos of them which were deemed “indecent” by the Kano State Films and Video Censorship Board (KSFVCB). The content showed behaviour described as “romantic gestures” or “shirtless and affectionate” interactions, which the board says violated the state’s moral / religious standards.

The court also instructed the Kano Hisbah Board (a religious policing body) to facilitate the marriage process, and indicated that failure to comply would be treated as contempt of court.

Key legal and social implications

The ruling reflects a strong enforcement by Kano State of its moral / decency laws in relation to online and social‐media content.

It raises questions about freedom of expression vs. community standards and who defines what is “indecent”.

The nature of ordering a marriage as part of a court decision is unusual by many international standards and may spark debates about consent, personal autonomy, and the role of the state in private relationships.

The involvement of both the censorship board and the Hisbah board shows how cultural and religious enforcement mechanisms are being used in tandem with the judicial system.

Additional context

The censorship board in Kano has previously prosecuted other TikTokers for what it terms “immoral or indecent” content; for example, a TikToker nicknamed “Kilina” was sentenced for cross-dressing and vulgar content.

The fact that the court mandated the involvement of a religious policing body (Hisbah) heightens the religious dimension of the case.

There is mention that one of the creators, Mai Wushirya, was previously remanded for two weeks in connection with another “indecent video” case.

The development has triggered mixed reactions among Kano residents. While some praised the court’s ruling as a moral corrective measure consistent with the state’s Islamic values, others argued that it infringes on personal freedom and sets a worrying precedent.

Public Reactions to Kano Court’s Order

While some residents in Kano have welcomed the court’s decision as a necessary step to uphold moral standards, others have strongly disagreed, calling it an abuse of judicial power.

One resident, Zainab Ahmed of Hotoro, described the ruling as “an overreach of authority.”

“The government can caution them or penalise them, but forcing marriage is not the solution. Morality should not come through compulsion,” she said.

Her comments echo the concerns of many who believe that while decency laws are important, personal consent and human rights must not be compromised.

 Civil rights observers also argue that the judgment raises deeper questions about freedom, bodily autonomy, and the boundary between law and faith-based governance.