Nigerian Musician Send To Prison Over His Newly Released Song

A popular Kano-based singer, Sadiq Zazzabi, has on Wednesday, remanded in prison by a court over his newly-released song.

According to Premium Times, the singer was arraigned before the censorship court in Kano for allegedly violating the state’s censorship board law which requires that a songs or movies should pass a censorship screening before it is released.

Speaking with a correspondent, the singer who released his song before the approval of the censorship board, said he was being targeted because of his support for former Gov. Rabiu Kwankwaso, though the government have denied the allegation.

The chairman Kano state censors board, Ismaila Afakallahu, confirmed that Sadiq will remain in prison till Friday. “The sitting took place today and Sadiq was asked to be remanded in prison until Friday when the court will resume hearing on the case,” he said.

He insisted the matter was not about politics. “Yes he actually brought the song for censorship and before we can grant him a certificate of approval, he went ahead to launch the song. For doing that he has faulted the censors’ board rule and we are charging him for that.

“Censoring a movie or song can take up to three weeks or more depending on the complexity of the song or film.”