DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — Tanzania’s Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on Wednesday withdrew the high-profile treason case against cosmetics entrepreneur Jenifer “Niffer” Jovin and Mika Lucas Chavala, ending months of legal uncertainty and prompting their immediate release from custody.
The decision was communicated to the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court by State Attorney Titus Aron, who informed Senior Resident Magistrate Aaron Lyamuya that the State would not pursue the charges.
Magistrate Lyamuya subsequently ordered that the two be freed, formally closing a matter that had drawn widespread public interest and criticism from rights groups.
Niffer, a popular online influencer and businesswoman, had been linked to unrest that followed Tanzania’s disputed October 29 election. Prosecutors alleged that she encouraged young people to prepare for anti-government demonstrations through a viral TikTok dance video, which sampled President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s voice.
The video also promoted tear-gas protection masks sold at her store, a detail the prosecution said amounted to aiding preparations for revolt.
Her supporters and civil rights advocates repeatedly dismissed the charges as excessive and politically motivated, arguing that the case exemplified overreach in policing online expression and youth culture.
The decision by the DPP to withdraw the case is likely to reignite debate over the boundaries of digital content, political dissent and criminal liability.
Legal analysts in Dar es Salaam say the withdrawal highlights the State’s growing caution in pursuing politically sensitive offences amid increased public scrutiny. Treason, among the most serious charges under Tanzanian law, is rarely invoked, and its use in a case involving social media content had drawn international attention.
The case emerged against the backdrop of electoral tensions, with opposition groups disputing the legitimacy of the October polls. Authorities responded with heightened security measures, and several arrests were made in connection with claims of mobilisation for illegal protests.
For Niffer, whose online presence blends entertainment with business promotion, the accusations had significant personal and commercial implications.
Chavala, who was charged alongside her, was accused of aiding the alleged mobilisation efforts. Details of his involvement were less publicly discussed, but rights groups insisted both defendants were victims of a crackdown on digital expression.
The DPP’s withdrawal now shifts attention back to the broader issue of how Tanzania navigates freedom of expression, political dissent, and cybersecurity enforcement. While President Samia has cultivated an image of relative openness compared to previous administrations, activists argue that prosecutions tied to online activity remain inconsistent and sometimes disproportionate.
Human rights organisations have already urged authorities to review similar cases, calling for clearer prosecutorial guidelines to avoid what they term the “criminalisation of digital culture.”
In Tanzania’s justice system, the DPP has constitutional authority to discontinue criminal proceedings at any stage before judgment, a power often exercised when evidence is insufficient or when continuation of a case is deemed against the public interest.
With the case now terminated, Niffer and Chavala are expected to return to their normal lives, though the episode is likely to remain a touchstone in ongoing debates over freedom of expression and the reach of national security laws in the digital age.
