The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has denounced the decision of a Kano State Magistrate Court that ordered two TikTok personalities, Ashiru “Mai Wushirya” Idris and Basira Yar-guda, to marry within sixty days.
The controversial ruling, delivered by Magistrate Halima Wali, directed the Kano State Films and Video Censorship Board to ensure the wedding takes place, warning that failure to comply would amount to contempt of court. The order followed Mai Wushirya’s arrest and arraignment over a viral TikTok video in which he was seen showing affection toward Yar-guda.
In a statement signed by NBA President Mazi Osigwe and shared on X, the association described the ruling as unconstitutional and a blatant abuse of judicial power.
According to the NBA, the court has no legal authority to compel marriage between any two individuals. “This development shows a fundamental misunderstanding of judicial limits under the Nigerian Constitution,” the statement read. “Marriage is a voluntary union between consenting adults. It cannot, under any circumstances, be imposed as a form of punishment or correction.”
The association further stated that such orders violate the rights to personal liberty, human dignity, and privacy guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution. It warned that the ruling, if left unchallenged, could erode public trust in the judiciary.
“The courts must remain protectors of justice and constitutional freedoms, not instruments for enforcing moral or social conformity,” the NBA added.
The association called for an immediate review of Magistrate Wali’s decision and directed its Citizens’ Liberties Committee and Women’s Forum to monitor the situation closely to ensure that the rule of law is upheld.
