A Magistrate’s court in Kano has sentenced an artiste,
Mohammed Yusuf, to two years imprisonment for defaming the character of
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje in a viral song.
Popularly known as AGY, Yusuf recorded the hit song which
mocked the governor’s alleged dollar bribe, creation of new Kano emirates and
election rigging.
Daily Nigerian reports that the singer was arrested by the
police last Monday night and arraigned before Magistrate Court 72, Noman’s Land
presided by Aminu Gabari.
During the summary trial days later, the court found Mr
Yusuf guilty of three-count charges of releasing a song without the approval of
the Kano State Censorship Board, releasing a video without obtaining same
approval and defamation of the character of Mr Ganduje.
On count 1 and 2, the singer was sentenced to six months
each with an option of N50,000 fine each, while on count 3, the musician bagged
one year without option of fine.
Although the song was meant to praise the Emir of Kano,
Muhammadu Sanusi II as the chorus implies, the singer lashed at the governor in
some of the stanzas, saying the governor can even sell his wife (Goggo) because
of money.
Part of the contentious lines read: “Kano governor has
already turned blind, I swear what you did is hurting us, For lucre, governor
is more than a thief, For lucre, governor can sell out Goggo”.
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