No Court Can Compel Two Persons To Marry- NBA President, Afam Osigwe

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has strongly condemned reports that a Magistrate Court in Kano allegedly ordered two TikTok content creators, Idris Mai Wushirya and Basira Yar Guda, to marry within 60 days as part of a judgment relating to an indecent video case.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the NBA President described the development as a grave misinterpretation of judicial powers and a clear violation of constitutional rights. He stated that no court in Nigeria possesses the authority to compel two individuals to marry, stressing that such an order is unconstitutional, unlawful, and contrary to fundamental human rights.

Osigwe emphasized that marriage is a voluntary union between consenting adults and can never be used as a form of punishment, moral correction, or judicial remedy. He said the order not only infringes on the personal liberty, dignity, and privacy of the individuals involved but also undermines public confidence in the judiciary.

The NBA President called for an immediate review of the ruling by Magistrate Halima Wali and urged the judicial authorities in Kano to ensure that such unconstitutional actions do not recur. He further directed the NBA Citizens’ Liberties Committee and the Women’s Forum to monitor the situation closely and ensure that the rule of law is upheld.

Osigwe reaffirmed the NBA’s commitment to defending human rights and preserving judicial integrity, stressing that the judiciary must never be seen as endorsing or enforcing decisions that violate personal freedoms guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution.