Kano Court Remands TikToker Yar Lele Over Alleged Defamation, Harassment

A Kano-based TikTok user, Khadija Muhammad, popularly known as ‘Yar Lele’, has been remanded in a correctional facility following her arraignment before an Upper Sharia Court sitting at the Post Office area of Kano Municipal. The case was heard by Justice Garba Malafa after police brought charges against the social media user over an alleged defamatory and insulting statement. The matter reportedly arose from a video allegedly posted by Khadija on TikTok in which she was accused of making remarks concerning MD Hassan, a politician from Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State.

According to the prosecution, the video contained an expression directed at Hassan which was considered defamatory and insulting. The allegation formed the basis of the charges brought before the court. However, Khadija denied the allegations when they were read to her and entered a plea of not guilty. Her plea means that the allegations remain matters to be established through the court proceedings rather than proven facts at this stage.

During the proceedings, prosecution counsel Barrister Awaisu Sani Lawan asked the court for additional time to present witnesses and other evidence in support of the case. Following the submissions, Justice Malafa ordered that Khadija be remanded in a correctional facility while the matter proceeds. The court subsequently adjourned the case until October 14, 2026, for further proceedings and re-arraignment.

The case has attracted attention because it involves a social media personality and allegations arising from content published online. TikTok and other social platforms have become increasingly important channels for public commentary in Nigeria, but statements published online can also become the subject of legal complaints where individuals believe their reputation or rights have been affected. In this case, the court will consider the prosecution’s evidence and the defendant’s response before determining the legal issues raised by the charges.

For now, Khadija remains an accused person and has not been convicted of any offence. The prosecution is expected to present its witnesses and evidence when the case resumes, while the defence will have the opportunity to challenge the allegations. The next proceedings are scheduled for October 14, 2026, and the outcome will depend on the evidence presented before the court.