Nigerian Court Shockingly Forces TikTokers to Marry Within 60 Days After ‘Indecent’ Videos Stir Moral Debate

Kano Court Directs Viral TikTok Duo to Marry Within Two Months

A Magistrate Court in Kano State, Nigeria, has ordered two popular TikTok content creators, Idris Mai Wushirya and Basira Yar Guda, to marry within 60 days following the release of viral videos deemed “indecent” by state authorities.

The ruling, delivered on Monday, October 20, 2025, by Magistrate Halima Wali, instructed the Kano State Hisbah Board—the state’s Islamic police—to oversee and facilitate the marriage process. The court further warned that failure to comply within the stipulated period would be treated as contempt of court.

The case has reignited discussions around freedom of expression, morality, and religious regulation in northern Nigeria, where Islamic law and conservative social codes strongly influence governance and cultural expression.

The two TikTokers, both well-known figures in Nigeria’s growing social media space, were arraigned earlier this month for producing and circulating videos showing them engaging in romantic acts.

According to the Kano State Films and Video Censorship Board, the clips violated state laws prohibiting the production and distribution of sexually suggestive or obscene material. The content, which quickly gained traction online, was described by authorities as “immoral and contrary to religious values” upheld by the majority-Muslim state.

As reported by Daily Post Nigeria and other local outlets, the presiding magistrate ordered the Chairman of the Censorship Board to supervise compliance with the marriage directive.

Following the ruling, Hisbah Director-General Abba Sufi confirmed to AFP that both families had been contacted. He noted that Mai Wushirya’s parents had given their full consent, while efforts were ongoing to reach Yar Guda’s relatives to formalize arrangements.

“Although the court said we should conduct the marriage within 60 days, we are determined to do it as soon as possible,” Mr. Sufi stated, adding that the Kano State Government had agreed to purchase a house for the couple to meet the bride’s request that they not live in a rented home.

This development reflects Hisbah’s long-standing role in enforcing Sharia-compliant moral conduct in Kano State, including mediating family disputes, discouraging “immoral” behavior, and regulating public entertainment.

Kano, one of Nigeria’s most religiously conservative states, operates under Sharia law, which coexists with the country’s federal legal system. The Kano State Films and Video Censorship Board actively monitors music, film, and online content, particularly those produced in the Hausa-language film industry known as “Kannywood.”

Kannywood—Nigeria’s second-largest movie sector after Nollywood—produces an estimated 200 films monthly, mostly reflecting northern cultural themes. However, it has faced frequent clashes with religious authorities over depictions of romance, gender interaction, and modern lifestyles viewed as incompatible with Islamic principles.

In 2022, several Kannywood actors were suspended for sharing “provocative” music videos on TikTok and Instagram, underscoring the ongoing tension between creative expression and conservative censorship in northern Nigeria.

Legal experts and social commentators have described the Kano court’s ruling as unprecedented, questioning whether a civil or Sharia court has the authority to compel marriage between consenting adults as a form of punishment.

Human rights advocates argue that the decision raises serious concerns about personal freedom and judicial overreach. Others, however, support the move as a corrective measure intended to preserve religious and cultural norms in a state that prioritizes moral discipline.

“This ruling underscores the deep intersection between religion, culture, and governance in parts of Nigeria,” noted Dr. Fatima Ibrahim, a sociologist at Bayero University, Kano. “It also highlights the challenges of managing global social media culture within conservative local contexts.”

The case highlights a growing clash between modern digital culture and traditional African values, particularly in regions where religious laws influence public policy. Social media platforms like TikTok have given young Nigerians—especially in the North—a voice and audience previously unavailable through traditional media.

However, such digital freedoms often collide with local moral codes, leading to censorship, arrests, and now, in this case, a court-mandated marriage. The ruling could set a controversial precedent for how states with religious courts address perceived moral infractions in the digital space.

For Africa as a whole, the incident reignites debate over how traditional societies can balance moral governance with evolving forms of digital expression. It also raises questions about whether the judicial system should mediate morality in an increasingly connected and pluralistic world.

The couple is expected to complete their marriage process under the supervision of Hisbah before December 20, 2025, barring any appeals or delays. The Kano State Government has not indicated whether the ruling might be challenged or if similar cases will be treated likewise in the future.

As the story continues to gain attention across Nigeria and beyond, it remains a striking example of how social media, religion, and law intersect in shaping modern African societies.

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