Court sentences 18- year old female activist to 12 strokes of the cane for condemning killings, insecurity in Sokoto
A Sokoto Chief Magistrates’ Court has sentenced an 18-year-old social media activist, Hamdiyya Sidi Shariff, to 12 strokes of the cane, or 2 years imprisonment, or a N50,000 fine for condemning killings and insecurity in Sokoto State.
A Sokoto Chief Magistrates’ Court has sentenced an 18-year-old social media activist, Hamdiyya Sidi Shariff, to 12 strokes of the cane, or 2 years imprisonment, or a N50,000 fine for condemning killings and insecurity in Sokoto State.
The court presided over by the Chief Magistrate Faruk Umar, was told that
Shariff was arrested November 13, 2024, and put in prison for allegedly lamenting the rising killings and general insecurity in the state on social media.
Shariff was arrested November 13, 2024, and put in prison for allegedly lamenting the rising killings and general insecurity in the state on social media.
First, she was kidnapped by armed men and whisked into a tricycle while going to collect her mobile phone from a charging point, after which she was beaten up, molested and thrown out of a moving tricycle, leaving her with severe injuries.
Shariff later revealed in a viral video, how bandits pillaged their villages without any restraints, and how displaced women seeking refuge in the state capital were then being sexually exploited due to abject poverty and squalor.
Her revelations prompted the Sokoto State government to first institute a charge against her before a Sharia court for the “use of insulting or abusive language” and “inciting disturbance” after she had also criticised Governor Ahmed Aliyu in a TikTok video.
Shariff's plight drew the attention of Amnesty International which urged security operatives to ensure her impartial trial.
The Director, Amnesty International, AI, Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, had in a statement, lamented the threat to the lives of Hamdiyya and her lawyer, describing the situation as disturbing, hence urging caution on the part of the government.
Sanusi's words, "The Nigerian authorities must impartially and transparently investigate disturbing threats to the lives of Hamdiyya Sidi Shariff and her lawyer Abba Hikima – as the trial continues.Right now, apart from facing persecution for exercising freedom of expression, Hamdiyya Sidi Shariff and her lawyer, Abba Hikima, are being subjected to threats, including phone calls and in-person confrontations by sponsored thugs and individuals claiming to be ‘intelligence agents.
Shariff later revealed in a viral video, how bandits pillaged their villages without any restraints, and how displaced women seeking refuge in the state capital were then being sexually exploited due to abject poverty and squalor.
Her revelations prompted the Sokoto State government to first institute a charge against her before a Sharia court for the “use of insulting or abusive language” and “inciting disturbance” after she had also criticised Governor Ahmed Aliyu in a TikTok video.
Shariff's plight drew the attention of Amnesty International which urged security operatives to ensure her impartial trial.
The Director, Amnesty International, AI, Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, had in a statement, lamented the threat to the lives of Hamdiyya and her lawyer, describing the situation as disturbing, hence urging caution on the part of the government.
Sanusi's words, "The Nigerian authorities must impartially and transparently investigate disturbing threats to the lives of Hamdiyya Sidi Shariff and her lawyer Abba Hikima – as the trial continues.Right now, apart from facing persecution for exercising freedom of expression, Hamdiyya Sidi Shariff and her lawyer, Abba Hikima, are being subjected to threats, including phone calls and in-person confrontations by sponsored thugs and individuals claiming to be ‘intelligence agents.
“These actions represent an alarming abuse of power and a calculated attempt to intimidate and punish those who speak out for their society and lawyers defending them. The hostilities being faced by Hamdiyya Sidi Sharif and Barrister Abba Hikima are increasingly making their appearance in court in Sokoto dangerous.
“Instead of attempting to suppress dissenting voices, Sokoto State government and the Nigerian security agencies should focus on addressing rampant insecurity facing particularly the people of eastern part of Sokoto State where gunmen have been killing people, razing villages, abducting women and girls – almost daily."
He further noted that at the last court hearing, Sharif's lawyer, Barrister Hikima was compelled to apply for armed police protection due to the hostile atmosphere in court. The request was granted by the court. While in Sokoto, for the trial, they were also stalked at their hotel, accosted and intimidated by some individuals.
However, on February 22, 2025, before her sentencing, the 18-year-old activist had her trial adjourned to March 13 and 14, 2025 by Chief Magistrate Umar, after the Police Prosecutor, Inspector Khalid Musa, presented evidence through the Investigating Police Officer, IPO, Tukur Abdulhadi.
The prosecution alleged that Shariff disseminated content capable of inciting public disturbance, particularly criticising the government’s handling of banditry in regions like Sabon Birnin Daji. During the session, the IPO submitted a flash drive and a translated version of Shariff’s statement as exhibits.
However, under cross-examination, it was revealed that her statement was taken without her legal representation present. The court then maintained the bail conditions previously granted to her..
“Instead of attempting to suppress dissenting voices, Sokoto State government and the Nigerian security agencies should focus on addressing rampant insecurity facing particularly the people of eastern part of Sokoto State where gunmen have been killing people, razing villages, abducting women and girls – almost daily."
He further noted that at the last court hearing, Sharif's lawyer, Barrister Hikima was compelled to apply for armed police protection due to the hostile atmosphere in court. The request was granted by the court. While in Sokoto, for the trial, they were also stalked at their hotel, accosted and intimidated by some individuals.
However, on February 22, 2025, before her sentencing, the 18-year-old activist had her trial adjourned to March 13 and 14, 2025 by Chief Magistrate Umar, after the Police Prosecutor, Inspector Khalid Musa, presented evidence through the Investigating Police Officer, IPO, Tukur Abdulhadi.
The prosecution alleged that Shariff disseminated content capable of inciting public disturbance, particularly criticising the government’s handling of banditry in regions like Sabon Birnin Daji. During the session, the IPO submitted a flash drive and a translated version of Shariff’s statement as exhibits.
However, under cross-examination, it was revealed that her statement was taken without her legal representation present. The court then maintained the bail conditions previously granted to her..
What's Your Reaction?
