Idris Mai Wushirya and Basira Yar Guda
By Abdullahi Abubakar
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has criticised a ruling by a Magistrate Court in Kano ordering two popular TikTok content creators, Idris Mai Wushirya and Basira Yar Guda, to formalise their relationship through marriage within 60 days.
In a statement issued by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), the NBA described the development as a grave misunderstanding of judicial authority under the Nigerian Constitution and a violation of the fundamental rights of the individuals concerned.
He said no court has the power to compel any person to marry another or to mandate two persons to marry. According to him, it is unconstitutional and therefore unlawful for any court to claim such authority.
He described marriage as a voluntary union between consenting adults and cannot be imposed as punishment, moral correction, or judicial remedy.
The NBA urged an immediate review of the decision by Magistrate Halima Wali and called on judicial authorities to prevent future occurrences of what it termed unconstitutional judicial overreach.
It also directed the NBA Citizens’ Liberties Committee and the Women’s Forum to monitor the situation to ensure that the rule of law prevails.
The statement read, “The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) notes with serious concern reports of a Margistrate court in Kano allegedly ordering two popular TikTok content creators, Idris Mai Wushirya and Basira Yar Guda, to formalise their relationship through marriage within 60 days following a case arising from the publication of an indecent video.
“This development reflects a grave misunderstanding of the limits of judicial authority under the Nigerian Constitution and constitutes an affront to the fundamental rights of the individuals concerned.
“No court has the power to compel any person to marry another persons or two persons to mandatorily marry. It is indeed unconstitutional and therefore unlawful for any court to purport to have power to make such an order.”
“Marriage, by its very nature, is a voluntary union between consenting adults. It cannot, under any circumstance, be imposed as a form of punishment, moral correction, or judicial remedy,” he said.
