Sokoto court orders 12 lashes for 18-year-old critic of insecurity

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.”