Audio By Carbonatix
Amnesty International has condemned the sentencing of two TikTok stars in the northern Nigerian state of Kano for defaming the state governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
The TikTokers, Mubarak Muhammad alias Unique Pikin and Nazifi Muhammad, had 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; £17) and to clean the court premises for 30 days.
They were also ordered to publicly apologise to Mr Ganduje on social media.
Amnesty International said the "cruel sentences must be quashed" and that the young TikTok stars "must be immediately and unconditionally released".
Parts of the sentences have been carried out. The pair was whipped in public in the court's premises and have paid the fine.
Their lawyer said they would not appeal against the judgement.
Nigeria has seen a growing number of social media stars who use comedy to comment on social and political issues - attracting massive followers to their accounts.
Latest Stories
-
Applications open for 2026 Igniting dreams fellowship in Northern Ghana
6 minutes -
AI Contracts: Fast, professional, but legally risky
28 minutes -
Over 1,000 youth equipped as National Apprenticeship Programme starts in Ashanti region
44 minutes -
See the areas that will be affected by ECG’s planned maintenance between February 8-13
1 hour -
Police arrest 53-year-old man for threat of death, unlawful possession of firearm
1 hour -
OSP probes NPP Presidential, NDC Ayawaso East parliamentary primaries over vote buying allegations
1 hour -
Gov’t launches nationwide training programme for coconut farmers
1 hour -
Borussia Dortmund launch first African academy in Ghana
2 hours -
Hamamat and Wiyaala land tourism ambassadorial roles
6 hours -
A singer’s tragic death highlights Nigeria’s snakebite problem
6 hours -
King Charles to host Nigeria’s first UK state visit in 37 years
7 hours -
Mikel Arteta: Arsenal’s 9-point lead at top of Premier League means ‘nothing’
8 hours -
Japan votes in snap election as PM Takaichi takes a gamble
8 hours -
Bloodshed in Kpandai as rival chieftaincy factions clash over gravel pit
9 hours -
Most couples learn these 12 hard lessons way too late
10 hours
