Court Jails Nigerian Teenage Activist Who Condemned Sokoto Killings In Social Media Post

In a ruling that has raised concerns implicit state of expression, a Sokoto Chief Magistrates’ Court, presided implicit by Chief Magistrate Faruk Umar, has sentenced 18-year-old societal media activist, Hamdiyya Sidi Shariff, to a prime of 12 strokes of the cane, 2 years successful prison, oregon a ₦50,000 fine.

Hamdiyya was arrested connected November 13, 2024, pursuing a societal media station successful which she expressed distress implicit the expanding question of killings and deteriorating information conditions successful Sokoto State. 

Her comments, made successful the discourse of increasing fearfulness and vexation among residents, were deemed inappropriate by authorities, starring to her apprehension and consequent prosecution.

The condemnation has sparked wide disapproval from quality rights advocates and integer rights organisations, who presumption it arsenic a heavy-handed effect to peaceful online expression. 

Many spot Hamdiyya’s lawsuit arsenic portion of a broader inclination of silencing dissent, peculiarly among vocal young Nigerians utilizing societal media arsenic a level for advocacy and accountability.