UVA condemns detention, lashing of Kano skit-makers

Unchained Vibes Africa (UVA) has condemned the arrest, detention and punishment of two Kano State-based comedians, Mubarak Muhammad (a.k.a. Uniquepikin) and Nazifi Muhammad, for allegedly defaming the character of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje through a skit on their Tiktok accounts.

On Monday, November 7, 2022, UVA’s representative and lawyer, who were at a magistrate court to assist the artistes, witnessed the sentencing, with utter disappointment in the country’s justice system.

The court ordered the two comedians to be given 20 strokes each – an exercise witnessed by their family and friends.

Aminu Gabari, in his judgment, also ordered the comedians to sweep and wash the toilets in the court’s premises for 30 days, in addition to paying a fine of N10,000 each for the ‘offence’.

As part of the non-custodial terms of the sentence, the magistrate ordered the comedians to produce a video apologising to the governor, using the same social media platform with which they made the original skit.

Executive Producer of UVA, Ayodele Ganiu, stated, yesterday: “This conviction is in violation of the right to freedom of expression, which is guaranteed under Section 39.1 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution. It also violates Nigeria’s regional and international obligations to respect, protect and promote freedom of expression, including arts. The flogging of the artistes also amounts to a cruel and inhuman practice, which has no place in modern society.

“Criminalising a comedy skit as defamation of character is seemingly a harsh punishment on the artistes for criticising a governor. It is deeply worrisome and goes against the fundamental principles of an open and democratic society, where public officials, by the nature of the office they occupy, should be subject to a higher degree of public scrutiny.”

According to him, the rights to freedom of expression and access to information are essential for citizens to have adequate knowledge to participate in political life and hold governments accountable.

He added: “Unchained Vibes is further concerned that the case of these two comedians is not in isolation and that other artistes in Kano had been arrested and criminally charged in relation to their artistic works, particularly for criticising the governor. Singer, Mohammad Yakasai (popularly known as A.G.Y.) was imprisoned at Goron Dutse Correctional Centre following his conviction on June 19, 2019 for a song he released criticising the governor.

“In September 2019, famous Kano singer, Nazir Ahmad, popularly called Sarkin Wakan Kano, was arrested for allegedly releasing two uncensored musical albums and operating an illegal studio. The albums reportedly criticised Ganduje. The singer was reportedly re-arrested in November 2020 by the Kano State Censorship Board. Magistrate Aminu Gabari presided over judicial rulings on these cases.”