Kano, Nigeria – A Kano Upper Shari’a Court has ordered that a popular Tiktok skit maker, Murja Kunya, 24, be remanded in a correctional centre over alleged defamation on Thursday.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the defendant, who lives in Hotoro Tishama Quarters Kano, is charged with three counts of defamation of character, injurious falsehood and criminal intimidation.
While the court is session, prosecution counsel Lamido Sorondinki told the court that the defendant committed the offence on January 29, on her WhatsApp Status.
He alleged that on the same date the defendant defamed the character of Aisha Najamu and Ashiru Mai-Wushirya, on her WhatsApp Status and shared it to the public.
The prosecutor alleged that the defendant made an injurious statement against the complainants and threatened them in Hausa language.
Responding to the allegation, the defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.
According to the prosecutor, the offence contravenes the provisions of sections 391 and 393 of Kano State Shari’a Law.
Defence counsel Yasir Umar-Musa, made a bail application pursuant to sections 35 and 36 of the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 as amended,168 and 172 of Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2019 Kano.
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Presiding Judge Abdullahi Halliru failed to rule on the bail application but ordered the remand of the defendant in a Correctional Center and adjourned the matter until February 16, for hearing.
Ms Kunya is also standing trial before the Upper Shari’a Court over alleged breach of public peace and indecent act.
The prosecutor, Mr Sorondinki told the court that on August 30, 2022, a direct complaint was lodged by Barrister Muhd Ali Hamza and seven others at Upper Sharia Court, Bichi, Kano, to direct Kano Commissioner of Police to investigate the defendant alongside other Tiktoker s.
He alleged that between 2021 and 2022 the defendant conspired with colleagues; Mr 442, Safara’u, Dan Maraya, Amude Booth, Kawu Dan Sarki, Ado Gwanja, Ummi Shakira, Samha Inuwa and Babiana, all now at large.
“The defendants mimed a video song that violates moral, law, and custom of the people of the state. The video was released by Ado Gwanja and Kawu Dan Sarki(now at large) via Tiktok, Instagram”.
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The defendant denied committing the offence.
Ms Kunya was charged with obscene or indecent act, continuance of nuisance and inciting breach of public peace contrary to section 355, 353 and 275 of Kano State Shari’a Law.
Sharia judge Abdullahi Halliru ordered the remand of the defendant in a Correctional Center and adjourned the matter until February 16, for fresh hearing.
