Court Jails Nigerian Teenage Activist Who Condemned Sokoto Killings In Social Media Post

In a ruling that has raised concerns over freedom of expression, a Sokoto Chief Magistrates’ Court, presided over by Chief Magistrate Faruk Umar, has sentenced 18-year-old social media activist, Hamdiyya Sidi Shariff, to a choice of 12 strokes of the cane, two years in prison, or a ₦50,000 fine.

Hamdiyya was arrested on November 13, 2024, following a social media post in which she expressed distress over the increasing wave of killings and deteriorating security conditions in Sokoto State. 

Her comments, made in the context of growing fear and frustration among residents, were deemed inappropriate by authorities, leading to her arrest and subsequent prosecution.

The sentence has sparked widespread criticism from human rights advocates and digital rights organisations, who view it as a heavy-handed response to peaceful online expression. 

Many see Hamdiyya’s case as part of a broader trend of silencing dissent, particularly among vocal young Nigerians using social media as a platform for advocacy and accountability.