The duo were arrested last week after they made a comedy skit mocking the governor for alleged corruption, sleeping on duty, and land grabbing. The video was shared on TikTok and Facebook, according to a BBC report.
The defendants, who pleaded guilty to the crime, requested absolution from the court. However, the judge who presided over the case ordered them to pay a fine of ten thousand Naira (N10,000), clean the court premises and also receive 20 lashes each.
The prosecution lawyer, Wada Ahmed Wada, told BBC that the TikTokers' action was capable of causing public outrage. Responding to the verdict, the defendant's counsel, Bashir Yusuf, said he would not challenge the courts verdict since it was a non-custodial sentence.
Nigeria is a secular country with a civil legal system. However, Northern Nigeria which is a Muslim-majority region also practices Sharia law, simultaneously. The Sharia court only has legal right to try Muslims. Also, Sharia law is not effective in Southern Nigeria where Christians dominate.
Many Muslims living in Northern Nigeria including celebrities and artists have faced trials in similar legal system which follows Islamic traditions. While some were lucky enough to face lighter sentences, others have met unspeakable fates.
Meanwhile, this case may set a lesson for the Nigerian comedians who have increased in number in recent years with some of them engaging in mockery, blackmail and propaganda to gain large followers.
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