A Sokoto Chief Magistrates’ Court, presided over by Chief Magistrate Faruk Umar, has sentenced Hamdiyya Sidi Shariff, an 18-year-old social media activist, to 12 strokes of the cane, two years in prison, or a ₦50,000 fine.
Shariff was arrested on November 13, 2024, and remanded to prison for allegedly denouncing escalating killings and severe instability in Sokoto State in a social media post.
On Thursday, Maliq (@MasterMaliq) tweeted on the X platform that Shariff was abducted by armed guys while on her way to fetch her phone from a charging point. She was battered, thrown from a moving tricycle, and left with serious injuries.
In a viral video, Shariff detailed how bandits pillaged their villages with no restraints and how displaced women seeking safety in the state capital are now being sexually exploited as a result of extreme poverty and destitution.
The Sokoto State government charged her with “insulting or abusive language” and “inciting disturbance” after she criticised Governor Ahmed Aliyu in a TikTok video.
Amnesty International called for an impartial trial for Hamdiyya and her lawyer, citing concerns about their safety.
In a statement, Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, stated that the threat to Hamdiyya and her lawyer’s lives was unsettling and that prudence was advised.
“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 added that at the previous court hearing, Hikima was compelled to petition for armed police protection due to the hostile climate in court.
The request was granted by the court. While in Sokoto for the trial, they were also stalked at their hotel, accosted, and frightened by several 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, the 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, and abducting women and girls – almost daily,” Sanusi said.
On February 22, 2025, Chief Magistrate Umar adjourned the trial of the 18-year-old activist to March 13 and 14, 2025, after the Police Prosecutor, Inspector Khalid Musa, presented evidence through the Investigating Police Officer, Tukur Abdulhadi.
The prosecution accused Shariff of disseminating content that could incite public disturbance, specifically criticising the government’s handling of banditry in Sabon Birnin Daji.
During the session, the IPO presented a flash drive and a translated version of Shariff’s declaration as exhibits.
However, during cross-examination, it was found that her statement was made in the absence of legal assistance. The court then maintained the bail conditions that had previously been granted to her.
