BREAKING: Popular TikToker ‘Tsulange’ Sentenced to One-Year Jail Term in Kano for Public Indecency
A Magistrate Court sitting in Kano State has sentenced social media personality, Umar Hashim, popularly known as Tsulange, to one year in prison for indecent public conduct.
The ruling was delivered by Magistrate Hadiza Muhammad Hassan at the Gyadi Gyadi court following a case filed by the Kano State Censorship Board.
Hashim was arrested in June 2025 after a video of him bathing on a public road in women’s underwear went viral on TikTok and other platforms. The skit, intended as a comedic act, was deemed highly inappropriate and a violation of public decency laws.
Magistrate Hassan ruled that Hashim’s actions amounted to public misconduct, handing down a 12-month prison sentence. However, the court granted an option of a ₦80,000 fine in lieu of incarceration. Additionally, Hashim was ordered to pay ₦20,000 to the Censorship Board to cover investigation and prosecution expenses.
The verdict has sparked debate around the boundaries of creative freedom and the growing role of regulatory agencies in monitoring digital content. Supporters of the ruling say it reinforces societal values and discourages vulgarity, while critics argue it could set a precedent that stifles artistic expression.
This case comes amid increased scrutiny of online influencers and performers in northern Nigeria, where conservative laws and religious values shape the interpretation of morality and public behavior.
