Nigeria: Kano - Tiktoker Jailed Over Obscene, Indecent Remark

What the report says

A magistrate’s court in Gyadi-Gyadi, in Kano’s Kumbotso Local Government Area, has sentenced social media creator Usman Musa, known as Majidadin Yan Tik Tok, to a total of 13 months in prison over charges that included obscene remarks and public nuisance. The report from Daily Trust, distributed by AllAfrica, says the case was heard by Magistrate Hadiza Muhammad Hassan and that Musa pleaded guilty after the charges brought by the Kano State Government were read to him.

According to the article, the sentence was broken into separate counts: seven months’ imprisonment or a ₦70,000 fine for conspiracy, three months without an option of fine for public nuisance, and another three months without an option of fine for making obscene and indecent remarks. The court also ordered him to remove the obscene comments and videos posted on his TikTok account.

The case highlights the growing scrutiny of online conduct in Nigeria, particularly in Kano State, where authorities have in recent years taken action against content they consider offensive or disruptive. More broadly, it reflects how social media use can lead to criminal proceedings when state laws on public morality and nuisance are enforced. The article does not provide further detail on the specific posts or the circumstances that led to the charges.