A magistrate’s court in Kano has reportedly sentenced a budding songster, Mohammed Yusuf, to two years imprisonment for defaming the character of the state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje in a viral song.
According to Daily Nigerian, Mr. Yusuf, popularly known as AGY, recorded the innuendo-laden hit song with the intention to praise Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II as the chorus implies.
However, the singer lashed at Ganduje in some of the stanzas over the governor’s alleged avarice, creation of new emirates in the state and election rigging.
Mr. Yusuf, in the song, also stated that the governor can sell his wife, Goggo, because of money. Some lines in the song 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.”
The singer was arrested by the police on Monday night and arraigned before Magistrate Court 72, Noman’s Land presided by Aminu Gabari.
During the summary trial on Wednesday, 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 N50,000 fine each, while on count 3, the musician bagged one year without option of fine.
