A Kano magistrate court has sentenced TikTok creator Abubakar Usman Kilina to one year in prison over a video deemed to promote indecent behavior, feature cross-dressers, and include offensive language. The conviction was delivered on Wednesday, June 19, 2025, by Magistrate Hadiza Muhammad Hassan of Court No. 21.
The case, filed by the Kano State Film and Video Censorship Board, accused Kilina of violating the state’s strict cultural and moral codes. The court found him guilty and sentenced him accordingly but offered him an option of a ₦100,000 fine. Additionally, he was ordered to pay ₦30,000 in compensation to the censorship board “for wasting the agency’s time.”
Freedom Radio reports that the controversial clip, now removed from TikTok, triggered widespread complaints within conservative circles in Kano. Authorities argued that the video undermined public decency and encouraged behavior deemed contrary to cultural and religious values in the state.
Magistrate Hadiza warned Kilina sternly during sentencing, stating that the leniency shown would not be repeated if similar offenses occurred. “You are advised to stay away from actions that violate public morality. This court will not hesitate to impose the full penalty next time, without the option of a fine,” she said.
The judgment has reignited national conversations around censorship, digital expression, and the clash between creative freedom and cultural enforcement. While some residents praised the court’s decision as necessary for protecting community values, digital rights advocates have condemned it as an infringement on personal liberty and artistic expression.
Kano State, governed by Sharia-compliant legal principles, has a history of imposing strict media regulations. The Film Censorship Board has ramped up crackdowns on content creators in recent months, targeting videos that feature gender fluidity, satire, or perceived indecency.
As Kilina’s legal team considers an appeal, the ruling may set a precedent for the growing number of digital influencers navigating the fine line between entertainment and prosecution under Nigeria’s uneven regulatory landscape.
