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Tag: TikTokers

  • NBA faults order directing Kano tiktokers to marry

    NBA faults order directing Kano tiktokers to marry

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the reported order of a Magistrate’s Court in Kano allegedly compelling two popular TikTok content creators, Idris Mai Wushirya and Basira Yar Guda, to marry each other within 60 days.

    The court’s order followed a case involving an indecent video.

    In a statement by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), the NBA described the development as a “grave misunderstanding of the limits of judicial authority under the Nigerian Constitution” and “an affront to the fundamental rights of the individuals concerned”.

    The association stressed that no court in Nigeria has the power to compel two persons to marry.

    It called such an order unconstitutional, unlawful, and a violation of the rights to personal liberty, dignity of the human person, and privacy as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    “Marriage, by its very nature, is a voluntary union between consenting adults. It cannot, under any circumstance, be imposed as a form of punishment, moral correction, or judicial remedy,” the NBA said.

    According to the association, the order pronounced by Magistrate Halima Wali reflects judicial overreach that undermines public confidence in the judiciary and erodes the principles of justice and fairness.

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    “The courts must remain the bastion of justice and protectors of constitutional rights, not instruments for enforcing social conformity or moral compulsion,” the statement read.

    The NBA called for an immediate review of the alleged order and urged the relevant judicial authorities to ensure such incidents do not recur.

    The association also directed its Citizens’ Liberties Committee and Women’s Forum to monitor the case and safeguard the rule of law.

    It reaffirmed that no person should ever be coerced — directly or indirectly — into marriage by any institution of the state, including the courts.

    “It is indeed unconstitutional and therefore unlawful for any court to purport to have power to make such an order,” the NBA added.

  • Foundation demands justice over TikTokers’ alleged incarceration

    Foundation demands justice over TikTokers’ alleged incarceration

    Foundation for the Advancement of Liberty has expressed its displeasure over the continued incarceration of two popular TikTokers, Adesola James (Arifa) and Odumosu Azeez Awiye (Veron).

    This was declared in a statement issued by the foundation’s director, Omolara Ayoade, noting that the duo despite meeting their bail conditions, have remained in prison custody.

    Ayoade said this was due to additional requirements allegedly imposed by a judge of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    The foundation argued that the judge’s actions raise concerns about the integrity of the trial and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.

    Ayoade said: “The defendants were granted bail in the sum of N5 million each with two responsible sureties each in like sum. The conditions of the bail stipulated that ‘each surety must have substantial means of livelihood and provide evidence of this before the court, all sureties must have a blood relationship with the defendants, each surety must produce evidence of tax payment for the last three years, all sureties must reside within Lagos, the official and residential addresses of each surety must be verified by the office of the deputy registrar, all sureties must deposit two copies of passport photographs with the court, and the defendants are to be remanded at Ikoyi Correctional Facilities pending the perfection of bail and trial.

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    “These conditions were immediately satisfied and fulfilled by the defendants. However, when they were supposed to be released, the judge delayed signing the warrant of release and subsequently imposed additional requirements. These included the submission and verification of the sureties’ statements of account and BVNs, insinuating that the sureties might be professional sureties.”

    “It is a fundamental principle of law that when a judge has given a ruling, as in this case, the judge immediately becomes functus officio. By law, the judge is no longer permitted to alter the ruling or judgment as has been done in this instance. Such a ruling can only be amended upon appeal to the Court of Appeal. This raises serious concerns about the integrity of any judgment Messrs. Adesola James and Odumosu Azeez may receive at trial. The trial has since commenced, and the popular TikTokers remain in prison custody. According to Section 36(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, every person charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty”.

    The foundation further urged a fair and balanced trial, honouring the initial bail conditions and rectifying any undue delays in the defendants’ release.

    Ayoade also emphasized the need for justice to be served without bias, upholding the principles of fairness and integrity.

    “The trial has since commenced, and the popular TikTokers remain in prison custody. According to Section 36(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, every person charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

    “While we acknowledge that the complainant, as a popular traditional ruler, has every right to protect his integrity, this must be done within the ambit of the law. The arbiter in this case must not be seen to be manifestly biased in favour of any party. Justice can only be served when the judge balances the scales of justice, irrespective of the identities of the parties involved.

    “We respectfully request that the learned Judge of the Federal High Court ensure that the bail conditions, as initially set, are honoured and that any undue delay in the release of the defendants is rectified immediately.”

    Ayoade added: “Justice can only be achieved when it is administered fairly and without bias. We trust that the court will uphold these principles and act accordingly.”