Court Warns: "Failure to Marry Within 60 Days Will Be Considered Contempt of Court"
In Nigeria, an influencer couple who posted a video expressing affection on the social networking service TikTok has been ordered by a court to "get married within two months." Previously, a local court had ruled that the video they uploaded was "obscene." While Nigeria does not have an official state religion, it is known that about half of the population is Muslim and about half is Christian.
On October 21 (local time), Nigerian media outlet Premium Times reported, "The Hisbah Committee of Kano State in northern Nigeria announced its plan to arrange the wedding of TikTok creators Idris Maiyushiriya and Bashira Yarguda within 60 days, in accordance with a court order."
This court order was issued after the state video review board determined that the video the two posted on TikTok was "immoral and obscene." The video showed the two hugging and kissing, which local authorities viewed as acts contrary to religious and moral values.
On October 20, the court warned that "if the wedding does not take place within the specified period, it will constitute contempt of court." The court also instructed the chairman of the Kano State Film and Video Censorship Board to supervise the execution of the marriage order.
A Nigerian court ordered two TikTokers who posted videos deemed 'obscene' to get married. Screenshot from Nigeria News TV report
The two TikTokers were recently indicted on charges of producing and distributing obscene content. Maiyushiriya was even detained after the video spread online.
The state video review board stated that the video they posted violated laws prohibiting the production and distribution of sexually suggestive or obscene materials.
A representative from the Hisbah Committee said, "In accordance with the court's instructions, we have invited the parents of both parties to discuss preparations for the wedding. The groom's family has already responded, but the bride's family is still going through the process of giving their consent."
The representative added, "Before the wedding, the prospective couple must undergo a health check and drug test in accordance with Nigerian state law. The Hisbah Committee can complete the wedding within two weeks."
This ruling, which forced the couple to marry, has drawn criticism for violating individual freedoms. The Nigerian Bar Association asserted, "No court has the authority to order adults to get married."
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