A Sokoto Chief Magistrates’ Court, presided over by Chief Magistrate Faruk Umar, has ordered that 18-year-old social media activist, Hamdiyya Sidi Shariff, be given 12 strokes of the cane, two years imprisonment, or a fine of N50,000.

Shariff was arrested on November 13, 2024, and remanded in prison for allegedly criticising rising killings and widespread insecurity in Sokoto State through a social media post.

A social media user, Maliq (@MasterMaliq), posted on the X platform on Thursday that before Shariff was arrested, she was abducted by armed men while on her way to retrieve her mobile phone from a charging point. She was beaten, thrown out of a moving tricycle, and left with severe injuries.

In a viral video, Shariff revealed how bandits pillaged their villages without any restraints and how displaced women seeking refuge in the state capital are now being sexually exploited due to abject poverty and squalor.


The Sokoto State government first charged her before a Sharia court for the “use of insulting or abusive language” and “inciting disturbance” after she criticised Governor Ahmed Aliyu in a TikTok video.

Her plight drew the attention of Amnesty International, which urged security operatives to ensure her impartial trial.

The Director, Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, in a statement issued, noted that the threat to the lives of Hamdiyya and her lawyer was disturbing and the need for caution.

“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’, said Sanusi.

He stated that at the last court hearing, 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.

“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 the eastern part of Sokoto State where gunmen have been killing people, razing villages, abducting women and girls – almost daily,” Sanusi said

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, 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 legal representation present. The court then maintained the bail conditions previously granted to her.

The case ignited a firestorm of discussions across social media platforms, with users expressing a spectrum of opinions:

Many viewed her as a courageous voice against governmental negligence. One user emphasised the threats she has faced since her critical post about the Sokoto State governor.

An X user, NnaGin (@whiskynnagin), wrote, “Is terrorism, insecurity & bad governance not more than public disturbances? How could a complimentary expression on social media about insecurity & bad governance be seen as public disturbances while the actual commission of the acts are not? The people there are horrible.”

Another user, SelflessComrade® (@Comr_Sanusi1), tweeted, “It’s unfortunate we found ourselves in this deceptive thing called democracy. Imagine if this type of governor happens to be in a military regimes?…”

Squanderboy (@squanderbo11691) wrote, “They all want sharia law..give it to them in full force.”

Ibime:


Sodiqi is a poor sales man. He cannot sell pad to a menstruating woman

BlueRayDick:




Okay, this sorta makes sense Sha.......

So that means they used the Americans in detention as bargaining chips

Ibime:


Rwanda should be on notice in DRC. Amotekun is coming in

sleekdot:
s3 m1d 4 ly fe

raum is still banned on this thread abeg. I know its the work of enemies but help shame them

sleekdot:
s3 m1d 4 ly fe

raum is still banned on this thread abeg. I know its the work of enemies but help shame them

sleekdot:
s3 m1d 4 ly fe

raum is still banned on this thread abeg. I know its the work of enemies but help shame them

iamoyindamola:

So you are ramdeuter
You are violating nairaland rule by using alternative Monika

sleekdot:


I have never heard of that guy before. ram what?

Egbon s3m1d the enemies led by sodik are working overtime oh. Spambot don slam again

They are silencing the voice of agbado on this forum

TrebleChamp:
😁

Spy360:

And how many times has the national grid collapsed since 2023?

The reason there's any semblance of power is because a lot of people and businesses have switched to solar.

iamoyindamola:

So you are raumdeuter
You are violating nairaland rule by using alternative Monika

Roland17:


Wahala

Ibime:


Sodiqi is a poor sales man. He cannot sell pad to a menstruating woman

Shegzdave:

How many of the ‘people’ have being able to comfortably switch to solar, same people complaining of hunger? Same people that report said majority don’t have 500k in their acct

Be realistic abeg, acknowledging they tried in the electricity sector is not gonna take anything from you.

Shegzdave:

How many of the ‘people’ have being able to comfortably switch to solar, same people complaining of hunger? Same people that report said majority don’t have 500k in their acct

Be realistic abeg, acknowledging they tried in the electricity sector is not gonna take anything from you.

Spy360:

What's this?

Are you not aware that most people generate their own power?

Bros, there's been no improvement as far as I am concerned.

I mean, electricity rates were increased, diesel and petrol cost increased. If there was any semblance of improved power you will see it reflect in the cost of fuel.

semid4lyfe:


I dashed you a like.

That post wey you quote dey seriously gba.

Shegzdave:

While the southerners are complaining of power failure, there’s Atleast 20hrs light here even though there’s no much productivity as compared to the south

Ballzproblem2:
Evidence was stacked, Democrat judge was delaying the inevitable ciao!

GloriousGbola:
Thank you @semid4lyfe

Gbolas back - back again.

Now where is that ugly mofo from the western union state? Edo state that singlehandedly made the yearly revenue for western union back in the day. Hq of wayo dodgy don't ask don't tell irrevocable payments

The state with the ugliest hardest face gominas in Nigeria.

Small wonder their women are going for serial philanderers like 2face. When the only other option is double baggers like obanotsexy pussy drying geng all of them. Brace for impact na how they do pre-intimacy

If Monday had not passed through lag small he would be just as ugly

If their gomina ugly pass monkey, what will the rest of the men look like?

Whatever else you say about Bukola Saraki, man is smooth and suave. Das how they make Kwara governors. Not like edo go and die! geng!


Jay Z came to Kwara to drink soft drinks - but he came to Kwara. Abeg who has come to edo? Speed Darlington

Back to the matter at hand


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJVcNgriTSg?si=1f1Gw1ZbT_-Nlp2V
Rita koko mansion dropped this we thought it was error



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2q7X3vyT0a8?si=09w7bZS_uzoyVxwW

Monday doubled down to shut down dissenters

Then Natasha closed the case finally and let us know the bad English is not a bug, it's a feature.

No wonder osho wanted to sack all those teachers. See their legacy live and direct


The less we talk about the toto national product of edo state the better. Where Filipino exports nurses across the world edo be exporting toto. They are Def ahead of us. Why dem no go export toto with their ugly men wey no fit fk Celebrating the oldest profession

Amigoss it's 2025,step it up and start only edo. No need to cross Libyan border. We bring it to you live and direct. Certified edo toto. What Italians crave.. Mama Mia!

airmark:


Oasis will tag this, bad news.

Amigoss: