A Shari’a Court in Sokoto State has sentenced an 18-year-old girl (name withheld for legal reasons) to two years imprisonment and 12 strokes of the cane after she posted complaints on social media about the worsening poverty, rampant rape cases, terrorism, and banditry plaguing Sokoto and northern Nigeria.
The teenager was charged under Section 393 of the Sokoto State Penal Code for “insulting the modesty and dignity of the people of Sokoto State” and “inciting public disturbance” through her posts on TikTok and WhatsApp status.
According to court documents seen by ReportNaija, the young woman had written in Hausa (translated):
“What kind of life is this in Sokoto? No food, no security, bandits are killing and kidnapping daily, girls are being raped and nobody is doing anything. Even tomatoes have become gold. Allah ya isa ya.”
The post, which went viral in local WhatsApp groups, was reported to the Hisbah Police by a community leader who described it as “defamatory to the image of Sokoto State Government and its people.”
During the trial that lasted only one day, the Shari’a Court Judge, Fatih Muhammad Bello, ruled that the teenager’s statements amounted to “gross indiscipline and intentional insult” capable of causing disaffection. He sentenced her to:
Two (2) years imprisonment with an option of fine of ₦50,000
Twelve (12) strokes of the cane to be administered publicly
An additional order to issue a public apology video to the people and government of Sokoto State
The judgment has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many Nigerians describing the sentence as draconian and a clear attempt to silence citizens speaking out against insecurity and economic hardship.
“This is not justice. This is intimidation,” wrote one popular northern influencer on X. “An 18-year-old girl complained about hunger and rape and they gave her two years plus whipping? What kind of country is this?”
As at the time of filing this report, the Sokoto State Government and the Shari’a Court have declined comments on the case.
ReportNaija is following the story and will provide updates as they become available.
Tags: Sokoto, Sharia Court, Freedom of Speech, Insecurity, Banditry, Censorship, Human Rights
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