NBA Criticizes Kano Magistrate Court’s Controversial Marriage Order for TikTok Stars.
From Our Correspondent
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has issued a strong condemnation of a recent court ruling by a Kano State Magistrate Court that mandates TikTok influencers Ashiru “Mai Wushirya” Idris and Basira Yar-guda to wed each other.
This unprecedented order, handed down by Magistrate Halima Wali, has drawn significant criticism for its legal and ethical implications.
The controversial ruling was a response to the arrest of Mai Wushirya, which came after he posted a TikTok video exhibiting affectionate behavior towards Yar-guda.
Magistrate Wali not only sanctioned the marriage but also ordered the Kano State Films and Video Censorship Board to supervise the ceremony, set to occur within sixty days. Failure to comply with this order, the court warned, would be deemed contempt of court.
In a statement, NBA President Mazi Osigwe described the ruling as unconstitutional and outside the court’s jurisdiction. He emphasized that no Nigerian court possesses the authority to compel individuals to enter into matrimony. “Marriage is fundamentally a voluntary union between consenting adults and should not be enforced as a punitive or corrective measure,” Osigwe asserted.
“This ruling undermines the fundamental rights to personal liberty, dignity, and privacy as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended).”
The NBA further warned that such rulings could erode public confidence in the judiciary and called for an urgent review of the decision. The association stressed the importance of upholding constitutional rights and cautioned against using the judiciary to enforce social norms or moral expectations.
“The NBA urgently requests a review of this ruling and encourages judicial authorities to prevent similar unconstitutional directives in the future. Our Citizens’ Liberties Committee and Women’s Forum will actively monitor the developments to ensure that the rule of law is upheld,” the statement concluded.
