A magistrate court in Kano has sentenced popular TikToker Abubakar Usman Kilina to one year imprisonment with an option of ₦100,000 fine for promoting indecent behavior and featuring cross-dressers in his video content.
Magistrate Hadiza Muhammad Hassan of Court No. 21, who presided over the case, also ordered Kilina to pay ₦30,000 as compensation to the Kano State Film Censorship Board for what she described as "wasting the agency's time."
According to reports, Kilina was found guilty of using offensive language in addition to the indecency charges. The case was filed by the Kano State Film Censorship Board as part of ongoing efforts to regulate content creation in the state.
Court Issues Stern Warning
During the sentencing, Magistrate Hadiza issued a stern warning to the content creator, cautioning him to desist from actions that violate public decency. She emphasized that should he repeat such offenses, the court would impose the full sentence without the option of a fine.
This case highlights the increasing scrutiny of social media content in northern Nigeria, where authorities have been clamping down on what they consider violations of cultural and religious norms.
The conviction has sparked discussions about freedom of expression versus cultural sensitivity in Nigeria's diverse society, particularly regarding content that challenges traditional gender expressions.
Kano State has been at the forefront of regulating entertainment content, with its Film Censorship Board actively monitoring both traditional and social media platforms for compliance with local standards.
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