Audio By Carbonatix
Two TikTok stars in Nigeria have been sentenced to a whipping and forced to clean the court after they used social media to mock a government official.
Mubarak Isa Muhammed and Muhammed Bula were found guilty of defaming Abdullahi Ganduje, governor of the northern state of Kano.
The pair's lawyer said they would not challenge the judgement.
Nigeria has seen a growing number of social media stars who use comedy to comment on social and political issues.
Mubarak Isa Muhammad and Muhammad Bala were arrested last week after posting their video - in which they mocked the governor for alleged land grabbing, corruption and sleeping on the job - to TikTok and Facebook.
Prosecution lawyer Wada Ahmed Wada said the men had defamed the governor and that their action was capable of disturbing public peace.
They pleaded guilty and asked for leniency, but the judge ordered them to be given 20 lashes each, to pay a fine of 10,000 naira (£20) and to clean the court premises for 30 days. They were also ordered to publicly apologise to Mr Ganduje on social media.
Their lawyer, Bashir Yusuf, told the BBC they would not challenge the judgement, given it was a ''non-custodial'' sentence - meaning those convicted would not be jailed.
Nigeria has seen a rapid increase in TikTok users in recent years, particularly among young people.
These users sometimes mock public figures, including government officials, by clipping images or videos, often to create comedies that attract massive followers to their accounts.
Kano State, a Muslim-majority part of northern Nigeria, is among about a dozen states in the region that practise the Sharia legal system alongside the country's secular laws. Only Muslims can be tried in Sharia courts.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana’s AI future will be decided by infrastructure, not ambition
23 seconds -
Amin Adam calls for IMF action on BoG recapitalisation, gold sales and monetary risks
6 minutes -
Amin Adam petitions IMF over BoG’s 2025 accounts, flags fiscal risks
10 minutes -
On the Frontlines of Russia-Ukraine War: The harrowing experience of a Ghanaian recruit
11 minutes -
Ato Forson leads Bawumia by 18 points in 2028 poll; Asiedu Nketia ahead by 12
11 minutes -
Roads Minister threatens termination of Sawla–Wa highway contract over delays
29 minutes -
UGCFL Season 2: Group A match week 10 preview
40 minutes -
Greater Accra Peace Council urges residents to observe ban on noise making
41 minutes -
10 arrested over illegal arms possession linked to Adambrobe chieftaincy dispute
48 minutes -
Today’s Front pages: Tuesday, May 5, 2026
54 minutes -
World Bank projects sharp rise in global fertiliser prices in 2026, warns of food inflation risks
1 hour -
REGSEC, Tema West Assembly begin 3-day demolition of illegal structures at Sakumo Ramsar site today
1 hour -
Roads Minister confronts contractor over ‘unacceptable’ delays on Techiman–Wenchi road
1 hour -
Cyclist awarded motorbike by Anwelle Foundation for 525km ride to promote Bong-ngo festival
2 hours -
The Pastor and the Tithe, the Politician and the Tax
2 hours