The Kano State Hisbah Board has officially cancelled the proposed marriage between two popular TikTok personalities, Idris Maiwushirya and Basira Yarguda, after investigations revealed that the relationship was a pretentious arrangement designed to escape legal sanctions over their previous conduct on social media.
Confirming the development in a voice recording shared with journalists on Saturday, Deputy Commander of the Hisbah Board, Dr. Mujahedeen Aminuddeen, said the decision followed findings that the alleged romantic relationship between the duo was not genuine and lacked mutual understanding.
“After our investigation, we discovered that the proposed marriage was not based on mutual understanding but rather an attempt to evade legal consequences. The board, therefore, resolved to cancel the wedding to prevent future conflict,” Dr. Aminuddeen stated.
He explained that the case was initially referred to the Hisbah Board by a Kano Magistrate Court, which had ordered the couple to marry within 60 days as part of a ruling on charges of immoral conduct filed against them by the Kano State Censorship Board.
However, the Hisbah Board’s probe uncovered that the purported romance was a deliberate tactic to manipulate the legal process.
Dr. Aminuddeen further disclosed that although both individuals had submitted blood samples for medical compatibility tests, the process was suspended following the board’s findings to “avoid further complications.”
He noted that the case would now be returned to court if reconciliation efforts between the parties fail.
Background of the Case
The controversy began when a video posted on Maiwushirya’s TikTok page was deemed indecent by the Censorship Board, leading to their arraignment before Magistrate Halima Wali. During the proceedings, both defendants confessed to being in love and expressed an intention to marry a move that influenced the magistrate’s decision to refer them to the Hisbah Board for marriage formalisation under Islamic law, with a 60-day deadline.
Subsequent investigations by the Hisbah Board, however, revealed that the supposed relationship was fabricated to avoid conviction, prompting the cancellation of the wedding.
NBA Condemns Court Directive
In a related development, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has criticised the court’s initial order compelling the pair to marry, describing it as unconstitutional and a violation of fundamental human rights.
In a statement issued by its President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), the NBA asserted that no court in Nigeria has the constitutional power to force two individuals into marriage, as it infringes upon the rights to dignity, privacy, and personal freedom guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The association also announced the establishment of a monitoring committee through its Citizens’ Liberties Committee and Women’s Forum to ensure that the TikTokers’ rights are protected and that the rule of law is upheld throughout the legal process.
With the cancellation of the proposed marriage, Arewa PUNCH reports that the matter is expected to return to court for further determination.