The Delta State Police Command has arrested more than 100 individuals during same-sex wedding in the state. The incident has ignited discussions about Nigeria’s stringent stance on homosexuality, as well as the enforcement of its anti-gay law.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan signed the anti-gay law into effect in January 2014. This law imposes a 14-year prison sentence on individuals found guilty of engaging in same-sex relationships.
This is not the first time the law has been enforced. In December 2019, the police arrested 47 men in a Lagos hotel for allegedly violating the law by publicly displaying affection for members of the same sex.
While all the accused individuals pleaded not guilty, the case took an unexpected turn as the court granted them bail, and the proceedings were eventually dismissed due to a lack of diligent prosecution by the police.
The recent arrest of over 100 suspects in Delta State underlines the ongoing challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Nigeria. As the authorities prepare to parade the arrested individuals, the incident has reignited debates about human rights, legal provisions, and societal attitudes towards homosexuality in the country.
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