Sharia Court Remands Tik Toker Over Defamation

An Upper Shari’a Court sitting in Kano, on Thursday, ordered that a popular Tiktok skit maker, Murja Kunya, 24, be remanded in a correctional center over alleged defamation.

The defendant, who lives in Hotoro Tishama Quarters Kano, is charged with three counts of defamation of character, injurious falsehood, and criminal intimidation.

Prosecution counsel Lamido Sorondinki told the court that the defendant committed the offense on January 29, on her WhatsApp Status.

He alleged that on the same date, the defendant defamed the character of Aisha Najamu and Ashiru Mai-Wushirya, on her WhatsApp Status and shared it with the public.

The prosecutor alleged that the defendant made an injurious statement against the complainants and threatened them in the Hausa language.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.

According to the prosecutor, the offense contravenes the provisions of sections 391 and 393 of the Kano State Shari’a Law.

Defense counsel Yasir Umar-Musa, made a bail application under sections 35 and 36 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 as amended,168 and 172 of Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2019 Kano.

Presiding Judge Abdullahi Halliru failed to rule on the bail application but ordered the remand of the defendant to a Correctional Center and adjourned the matter until February 16, for a hearing.

Ms. Kunya is also standing trial before the Upper Shari’a Court over an alleged breach of public peace and indecent act.

The prosecutor, Mr. Sorondinki told the court that on August 30, 2022, a direct complaint was lodged by Barrister Muhd Ali Hamza and seven others at Upper Sharia Court, Bichi, Kano, to direct Kano Commissioner of Police to investigate the defendant alongside other Tiktoker s.

He alleged that between 2021 and 2022 the defendant conspired with colleagues; Mr 442, Safara’u, Dan Maraya, Amude Booth, Kawu Dan Sarki, Ado Gwanja, Ummi Shakira, Samha Inuwa, and Babiana, all now at large.

“The defendants mimed a video song that violates the morals, law, and custom of the people of the state.

“The video was released by Ado Gwanja and Kawu Dan Sarki(now at large) via Tiktok, Instagram”.

The defendant denied committing the offense.

Ms. Kunya was charged with obscene or indecent acts, the continuance of nuisance, and inciting breach of public peace contrary to sections 355, 353, and 275 of Kano State Shari’a Law.

Sharia judge Abdullahi Halliru ordered the remand of the defendant to a Correctional Center and adjourned the matter until February 16, for a hearing.

(NAN)