A Magistrate Court in Kano has directed popular TikTok content creators Idris Mai Wushirya and Basira Yar Guda to formalize their relationship through marriage within 60 days. The ruling, issued by Magistrate Halima Wali, follows a series of viral videos featuring the duo engaging in romantic displays deemed “indecent” by the Kano State Films and Video Censorship Board.
The court’s decision, described as both unconventional and controversial, instructs the Kano State Hisbah Board to facilitate the marriage process. Magistrate Wali warned that failing to conduct the marriage within the specified timeframe would lead to contempt of court.
This ruling comes after the influencers were arraigned on allegations of producing and sharing obscene content online. The videos, which gained significant traction on TikTok, reportedly featured affectionate scenes that the Censorship Board argued violated the moral and religious standards of the state.
Officials from the board maintained that the content breached Kano State’s censorship laws, which prohibit the creation and dissemination of sexually suggestive or explicit material. An official stated, “Such behavior undermines the values we stand for and sets a dangerous example for the youth.”
Previously, Mai Wushirya had been remanded in a correctional center after being accused of promoting immoral behavior through his skits, while Yar Guda faced questioning before the matter was escalated to court.
The court’s ruling has sparked mixed reactions among Kano residents. Some view it as a necessary moral corrective measure aligned with the state’s Islamic values, while others argue it infringes on personal freedoms and sets a troubling precedent. Resident Aliyu Salisu praised the ruling as a deterrent against indecency, while Zainab Ahmed criticized it as an overreach of authority, suggesting that morality should not be enforced through coercion.
As of now, neither Mai Wushirya nor Yar Guda has publicly responded to the court’s order, and the case has reignited discussions about the extent to which the state should regulate social behavior and online expression in northern Nigeria.
