The sentence against AGY has been overturned and he is finally walking free. I am overwhelmed with relief for him and his family after this long nightmare. We proved that artistic expression cannot be silenced by force.
August 17, 2019
Final supporters
CORA/Arterial Network Nigeria notes with concern, the reported arrest, detention and imprisonment of a Kano-based musician, Mohammed Yusuf, also known as AGY. According to BBC Pidgin, a court in Kano State has sentenced AGY to two years jail term for allegedly insulting Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. AGY was reportedly convicted on three-count charges of releasing a song and shooting a video without Kano Censors Board’s permission as well as insulting the governor with the lyrics.
The first two counts, according to BBC Pidgin, attracts one year jail term with an option of N100,000. However, the alleged insult on the governor was said to be punishable with one year imprisonment without an option of fine.
The artist was reportedly arrested by the police on Tuesday 18 June 2019 and sentenced on Wednesday 19 June 2019. This followed a previous arrest of another artist Sanusi Abdullahi, popularly known as SK in what turned out to be a mistaken identity. The defense counsel to SK, Barrister Tajudeen Abdullahi, told BBC Pidgin that the manner with which the prosecution of AGY was carried out was concerning.
CORA/Arterial Network Nigeria is:
- deeply worried about the hasty prosecution of AGY
- convinced that no proper investigation has been carried out on this matter to establish the substance of these charges
- concerned that artists could be randomly arrested based on mere speculation
- disturbed that a judge can determine the criminality of the lyrics of a song and pronounce verdict within hours of arraignment of the alleged offender
- worried that the laws applied in prosecuting AGY are neither reported nor implied, making the entire judicial process lack transparency
- concerned that these actions are capable of creating fears in the minds of other artists to freely express their opinions, a situation that imposes undue self-censorship on artists and threatens creativity
To this end, we the undersigned hereby condemn these actions by Kano State authorities and call on all artists, cultural activists, the Nigerian and international human right community to sign this petition demanding:
- The reversal of the sentence and unconditional release of artist Mohammed Yusuf, also known as AGY
- Compensation for the unlawful arrest and detention of artist Sanusi Abdullahi, popularly known as SK
- Transparency in the investigation carried out on the case and the laws applied in the prosecution of AGY
- Suspension of any censorship laws, regulations and policies governing artistic expressions in Kano and elsewhere which are inconsistent with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all international conventions ratified by the country
- An enabling environment for artists to exercise their fundamental human right of using their creativity to express their opinions on political, social and economic matters as guaranteed by Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) to which Nigeria is a signatory
Signed:
- Anthony Afolabi Martins - Chairperson, Arterial Network Nigeria
- Ayodele Ganiu - National Coordinator, Arterial Network Nigeria - Artwatch Africa Coordinator
- Jahman Anikulapo - Programme Chair, Committee for Relevant Art (CORA)
- Ade Bantu – Musician/Artwatch Africa Ambassador
- Toyin Akinosho - Secretary General, Committee for Relevant Art (CORA)
Updates
June 24, 2019
Watching AGY lose his freedom for simply singing a song keeps me awake at night. I have been spending my evenings contacting legal advocates to ensure his case does not disappear into the background while he sits behind bars.
June 24, 2019
Seeing this level of support for AGY feels like a turning point in our fight against this injustice. It is overwhelming to watch so many people refuse to accept this blatant silencing of an artist. We are proving that they cannot just lock away our creative freedom without a public outcry.
Reached 100 supporters
June 24, 2019
91 Comments
The abuse of office, disregard for due process and intimidation with the paraphernalia of office like a cocked gun pointing at self, the abusers. Your glory falls (and that is even if you have something called glory) from whence you cross the threshold of artistes, the prophets of the land.
The jailing of AGY is against human right and his creative licence. It is uncivil, undemocratic and unfair. I condemn this act of government in its totality. Kano State Government must release AGY with immediate effect, and without any condition.
Nigeria can never move forward without respect for arts and its practioners, even if the musician sang about the activity of government, their is nothing wrong in criticism, the government should check himself. P;ease free AGY and SK.
I'm deeply disturbed by the arrest and unlawful detention/imprisonment of AGY. Where lies the role of freedom of speech in our nation? Where lies the role of freedom of expression? Since when did social commentary become a crime #freeAGY
The voices of artists make an important contribution to discussion and debate in our societies and the kneejerk shutting down of freedom of expression in this instance makes a mockery of local judicial processes. We hope that good sense will prevail before this case escalates into a major embarrassment for Nigeria.
FreeAgk
Each State has the responsibility and duty to protect artists because they are human rights defenders!
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
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The sentence against AGY has been overturned and he is finally walking free. I am overwhelmed with relief for him and his family after this long nightmare. We proved that artistic expression cannot be silenced by force.
August 17, 2019
Final supporters
CORA/Arterial Network Nigeria notes with concern, the reported arrest, detention and imprisonment of a Kano-based musician, Mohammed Yusuf, also known as AGY. According to BBC Pidgin, a court in Kano State has sentenced AGY to two years jail term for allegedly insulting Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. AGY was reportedly convicted on three-count charges of releasing a song and shooting a video without Kano Censors Board’s permission as well as insulting the governor with the lyrics.
The first two counts, according to BBC Pidgin, attracts one year jail term with an option of N100,000. However, the alleged insult on the governor was said to be punishable with one year imprisonment without an option of fine.
The artist was reportedly arrested by the police on Tuesday 18 June 2019 and sentenced on Wednesday 19 June 2019. This followed a previous arrest of another artist Sanusi Abdullahi, popularly known as SK in what turned out to be a mistaken identity. The defense counsel to SK, Barrister Tajudeen Abdullahi, told BBC Pidgin that the manner with which the prosecution of AGY was carried out was concerning.
CORA/Arterial Network Nigeria is:
- deeply worried about the hasty prosecution of AGY
- convinced that no proper investigation has been carried out on this matter to establish the substance of these charges
- concerned that artists could be randomly arrested based on mere speculation
- disturbed that a judge can determine the criminality of the lyrics of a song and pronounce verdict within hours of arraignment of the alleged offender
- worried that the laws applied in prosecuting AGY are neither reported nor implied, making the entire judicial process lack transparency
- concerned that these actions are capable of creating fears in the minds of other artists to freely express their opinions, a situation that imposes undue self-censorship on artists and threatens creativity
To this end, we the undersigned hereby condemn these actions by Kano State authorities and call on all artists, cultural activists, the Nigerian and international human right community to sign this petition demanding:
- The reversal of the sentence and unconditional release of artist Mohammed Yusuf, also known as AGY
- Compensation for the unlawful arrest and detention of artist Sanusi Abdullahi, popularly known as SK
- Transparency in the investigation carried out on the case and the laws applied in the prosecution of AGY
- Suspension of any censorship laws, regulations and policies governing artistic expressions in Kano and elsewhere which are inconsistent with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all international conventions ratified by the country
- An enabling environment for artists to exercise their fundamental human right of using their creativity to express their opinions on political, social and economic matters as guaranteed by Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) to which Nigeria is a signatory
Signed:
- Anthony Afolabi Martins - Chairperson, Arterial Network Nigeria
- Ayodele Ganiu - National Coordinator, Arterial Network Nigeria - Artwatch Africa Coordinator
- Jahman Anikulapo - Programme Chair, Committee for Relevant Art (CORA)
- Ade Bantu – Musician/Artwatch Africa Ambassador
- Toyin Akinosho - Secretary General, Committee for Relevant Art (CORA)
Updates
June 24, 2019
Watching AGY lose his freedom for simply singing a song keeps me awake at night. I have been spending my evenings contacting legal advocates to ensure his case does not disappear into the background while he sits behind bars.
June 24, 2019
Seeing this level of support for AGY feels like a turning point in our fight against this injustice. It is overwhelming to watch so many people refuse to accept this blatant silencing of an artist. We are proving that they cannot just lock away our creative freedom without a public outcry.
Reached 100 supporters
June 24, 2019
91 Comments
We must continue to allow artists artists to push the boundaries of society because they are their voices are foundational to a healthy, open society.
The abuse of office, disregard for due process and intimidation with the paraphernalia of office like a cocked gun pointing at self, the abusers. Your glory falls (and that is even if you have something called glory) from whence you cross the threshold of artistes, the prophets of the land.
The jailing of AGY is against human right and his creative licence. It is uncivil, undemocratic and unfair. I condemn this act of government in its totality. Kano State Government must release AGY with immediate effect, and without any condition.
Nigeria can never move forward without respect for arts and its practioners, even if the musician sang about the activity of government, their is nothing wrong in criticism, the government should check himself. P;ease free AGY and SK.
I'm deeply disturbed by the arrest and unlawful detention/imprisonment of AGY. Where lies the role of freedom of speech in our nation? Where lies the role of freedom of expression? Since when did social commentary become a crime #freeAGY
The voices of artists make an important contribution to discussion and debate in our societies and the kneejerk shutting down of freedom of expression in this instance makes a mockery of local judicial processes. We hope that good sense will prevail before this case escalates into a major embarrassment for Nigeria.
FreeAgk
Each State has the responsibility and duty to protect artists because they are human rights defenders!
Share Petition
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We must continue to allow artists artists to push the boundaries of society because they are their voices are foundational to a healthy, open society.