COURT ORDERS 12 LASHES FOR 18-YEAR-OLD CRITIC OF INSECURITY IN SOKOTO

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Under the direction of Chief Magistrate Faruk Umar, a Sokoto Chief Magistrates’ Court has sentenced 18-year-old social media activist Hamdiyya Sidi Shariff to 12 canings, two years in jail, or a N50,000 fine.

Shariff was detained on November 13, 2024, and placed under detention in jail after he allegedly used social media to criticize the increasing number of murders and general instability in Sokoto State.

Maliq (@MasterMaliq), a social media user, said on the X platform on Thursday that Shariff was kidnapped by armed guys while she was en route to pick up her cell phone from a charging station prior to her arrest. She suffered serious injuries after being battered and flung from a moving tricycle.

In a widely shared video, Shariff described how bandits ravaged their villages without any restrictions and how the extreme poverty and squalor in the state capital are now leading to the sexual exploitation of displaced women who sought safety there.

She was initially accused by the Sokoto State administration in a Sharia court for “inciting disturbance” and “using insulting or abusive language” after she criticized Governor Ahmed Aliyu in a TikTok video.

Amnesty International took notice of her predicament and encouraged security personnel to provide her a fair trial.

In a statement, Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, said that the danger to Hamdiyya and her attorney’s lives was alarming and that vigilance was required.

“The Nigerian authorities must impartially and transparently investigate disturbing threats to the lives of Hamdiyya Sidi Shariff and her lawyer Abba Hikima – as the trial continues. Right now, apart from facing persecution for exercising freedom of expression, Hamdiyya Sidi Shariff and her lawyer, Abba Hikima, are being subjected to threats, including phone calls and in-person confrontations by sponsored thugs and individuals claiming to be ‘intelligence agents’, said Sanusi.

He stated that at the last court hearing, Hikima was compelled to apply for armed police protection due to the hostile atmosphere in court. The request was granted by the court.

While in Sokoto for the trial, they were also stalked at their hotel, accosted, and intimidated by some individuals.

“These actions represent an alarming abuse of power and a calculated attempt to intimidate and punish those who speak out for their society and lawyers defending them. The hostilities being faced by Hamdiyya Sidi Sharif and Barrister Abba Hikima are increasingly making their appearance in court in Sokoto dangerous.”

“Instead of attempting to suppress dissenting voices, Sokoto State government and the Nigerian security agencies should focus on addressing rampant insecurity facing particularly the people of the eastern part of Sokoto State where gunmen have been killing people, razing villages, abducting women and girls – almost daily,” Sanusi said

On February 22, 2025, before her sentencing, the 18-year-old activist had her trial adjourned to March 13 and 14, 2025, by Chief Magistrate Umar, after the Police Prosecutor, Inspector Khalid Musa, presented evidence through the Investigating Police Officer, Tukur Abdulhadi.

The prosecution alleged that Shariff disseminated content capable of inciting public disturbance, particularly criticising the government’s handling of banditry in regions like Sabon Birnin Daji.

During the session, the IPO submitted a flash drive and a translated version of Shariff’s statement as exhibits.

However, under cross-examination, it was revealed that her statement was taken without legal representation present. The court then maintained the bail conditions previously granted to her.

The case ignited a firestorm of discussions across social media platforms, with users expressing a spectrum of opinions:

Many viewed her as a courageous voice against governmental negligence. One user emphasised the threats she has faced since her critical post about the Sokoto State governor.

An X user, NnaGin (@whiskynnagin), wrote, “Is terrorism, insecurity & bad governance not more than public disturbances? How could a complimentary expression on social media about insecurity & bad governance be seen as public disturbances while the actual commission of the acts are not? The people there are horrible.”

Another user, SelflessComrade® (@Comr_Sanusi1), tweeted, “It’s unfortunate we found ourselves in this deceptive thing called democracy. Imagine if this type of governor happens to be in a military regimes?…”

Squanderboy (@squanderbo11691) wrote, “They all want sharia law..give it to them in full force.”