Hisbah backpedals on forced marriage between Tik Tokers in Kano

The Kano Hisbah police have cancelled a controversial court-ordered wedding between two TikTok celebrities, Idris Mai Wushirya and Basira Yar Guda.

The move followed the backlash  from citizens against the verdict which was delivered after a viral video skit showed them kissing.

Recall that the videos of the pair had circulated which showed them cuddling and kissing on TikTok.

In response, a magistrate court ordered Hisbah – the Islamic morality police – to arrange their wedding within 60 days, calling the video “indecent.”

Both families were initially contacted, and the Kano State Government reportedly offered to buy a house for the couple to meet the bride’s condition.

Mai Wushirya’s parents even gave their consent for the marriage.

However, on Sunday, Hisbah’s Director-General, Abba Sufi, told AFP that the plan had been scrapped after Mai Wushirya confessed he lied to the court about being in love with Yar Guda to avoid prosecution.

“Mai Wushirya told us he was never in love with Yar Guda. He only said that to evade punishment,” Sufi explained.

With that revelation, Hisbah cancelled the marriage and referred the matter back to the court for further action.

The order had drawn widespread criticism across Nigeria, including from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), which described it as a violation of the couple’s fundamental rights.

“No court has the power to compel anyone to marry another person,” said Mazi Afam Osigwe, NBA’s head.

Kano, home to Kannywood – a booming Hausa-language film industry – has seen increasing scrutiny of social media creators.

Hisbah has, in recent years, arrested several TikTokers and content creators over videos deemed immoral or indecent.