The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has demanded the unconditional release of two comedians, Mubarak Muhammad and Nazifi Bala, who were ordered to be flogged and detained by the Kano State Magistrate court for insulting State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, on their Tik Tok accounts.
Magistrate Aminu Gabari, in his ruling, also ordered the two young comedians to sweep and wash the toilets on the premises of the magistrates’ court for 30 days.
In a swift reaction to the judgment, SERAP, via their Twitter handle urged President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Ganduje to unconditionally release the duo.
According to the tweet, SERAP said: “The Buhari administration and Governor Abdullahi Ganduje must immediately reverse the cruel flogging sentences of two TikTok skit makers, Mubarak Muhammad and Nazifi Muhammad. We’ll see in court if the skit makers are not immediately and unconditionally released.”
QUEST TIMES understands that the duo were convicted on a two-count charge of defamation of character and inciting public disturbance under Sections 392 and 114 of the Penal Code.
SERAP is a Lagos-based nonprofit, nonpartisan, legal & advocacy organisation devoted to promoting transparency, accountability and respect for socio-economic rights in Nigeria.