Amnesty International and Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project on Tuesday condemned the judgement melted out to two tiktokers, Mubarak Isa Muhammad and Nazifi Muhammadu Bala.
PUNCH METRO on Monday reported that Justice Aminu Gabari of the Kano Magistrate Court ordered the public flogging of the duos who were accused of defaming the character of the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.
They were also ordered to wash the toilets on the premises of the magistrates’ court for 30 days.
Reacting on the development, Amnesty International said the decision to remand them in prison for a week without trial is a brazen violation of their fair trial rights.
“Amnesty International condemns the sentencing of TikTokers Mubarak Muhammad (Uniquepikin) and Nazifi Muhammad for allegedly defaming the governor of Kano state in northern Nigeria,” the group said.
“The decision to remand them in prison for a week without trial is a brazen violation of their fair trial rights. Satirizing those in authority is not a crime. Nigerian authorities must immediately quash this appalling sentence.”
Also, SERAP urged the president, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to immediately reverse the sentences and release the duo unconditionally.
The organisation threatened to sue the government if the TikTokers are not unconditionally released.
“The Buhari administration and governor Abdullahi Ganduje must immediately reverse the cruel flogging sentences of two TikTok skit makers, Mubarak Muhammad and Nazifi Muhammad.
“We’ll see in court if the skit makers are not immediately and unconditionally released,” SERAP said.
