Justice Aisha Mahmud of the Kano State High Court has directed the police to apprehend prominent Hausa musician Ado Isa Gwanja.
This result confirms a previous decision by the Upper Sharia Court Bichi, which issued an arrest order for the musician last year.
Barrister Badamasi Gandu, representing the Kano Ulamas Forum, filed legal action against Gwanja and six individuals in the Upper Sharia Court.
The defendants’ actions were judged to be in violation of Islamic moral teachings and Kano State’s cultural standards.
Gwanja and his friends promptly filed a restraining order against their detention at the state high court. While an interim injunction was initially granted to prevent the police from carrying out the arrest awaiting a hearing on the fundamental rights enforcement application, Justice Aisha Mahmud overturned this judgement on Monday.
The court now orders the police to arrest and investigate the musician, and Gwanja is prohibited from performing at public gatherings such as weddings until the substantive matter is completed. Furthermore, the court orders Gwanja to submit his song to the state film and video control body for clearance moving ahead.
