Court sitting in Ogun state on Monday, February 19, 2024 arraigned 9 men for their alleged involvement in homosexuality.
The defendants were arraigned on different count charges, ranging from one to six charges as preferred against them by the police.
They are: Okoli Daniel, Saheed Omodada, Henry Sunday, Steve Adegoke, David Ogaga, Damilare Moses, Ikechukwu Obiora, Zion Okosun and Adebisi Animashaun
According to police spoke person, he said the arrest was carried out on the 24th of September, 2023 following an intel about a gay event.
The suspects were arrested at an undisclosed location in Ogun state for alleged involvement in homosexuality. The investigation revealed that the event was organized to induct new members, some of which are at large while the officers raided the location.
The court adjourned the case to April 9, 2024, for continuation of trial following request from defendants counsel.
It is the third raid targeting LGBTQ events in the last couple of months.
In August 2023, 60 people were arrested at what police deemed a gay wedding in Delta state, Nigeria.
In 2022, 19 people in their 20s were arrested for allegedly attending a same-sex marriage in Kano.
“The Nigerian authorities must stop these humiliating raids and misusing laws to harass and arrest people accused of same-sex activity,” Sanusi said in an Amnesty press release.
“No one should be targeted and arrested because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity.”
Nigeria is one of many nations on the continent that outlaws same-sex relationships, defending their anti-gay sentiments as part of African culture.
The Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act in 2013 made it it illegal for same-sex individuals to marry, but it also restricts the public display of same-sex relationships, punishing anyone who enters into a same-sex marriage or civil union with 14 years in prison and a 10-year sentence for anyone who facilitates or takes part in any such union.
