By Emma Okereh
In a manner similar to a failed arrest of a young man called Emmanuel Dominic Adegoke, from Ibadan in Oyo state, South West of Nigeria, who is suspected to be a bisexual, and over 50 young men in Warri, Delta state in the eastern part of Nigeria, a resumed battle against same-sex marriage and other similar offences ,otherwise called LGBTO has started in Kano state.
Two weeks ago , the Governor of the state issued a notice that the police is set to pick up individuals associated with the practice in the state.
The crackdown is likely to force many young people who are involved in this in Nigeria to seek asylum in other countries.
Law enforcement agencies in Nigeria have again commenced crackdown of individuals or groups suspected to have anything to do with homosexuality, lesbianism, gay, bisexuals and transgender, otherwise called LGBTQ. It is an offence to practice life of homosexuality, gay, lesbianism and the likes, in Nigeria.
The offence attracts 14 years jail term since former President Goodluck Jonathan made it an offence by signing the bill against same sex marriage passed by parliament in Nigeria into law on January 7, 2014.
In specific terms, the law stipulates among other things that “Persons who enter into a same-sex marriage contract or civil union commit an offence and are each liable on conviction to a term of 14 years in prison”.
It further provides that “any person who registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies and organisations or directly or indirectly makes public show of same-sex amorous relationship in Nigeria commits an offence and shall each be liable on conviction to a term of 10 years in prison.”
Some experience of victims of the battle against LGBTQ in Nigeria has remained horrific. The case of Emmanuel Dominic Adegoke, a 36 years old boy from Ibadan , in Oyo state of Nigeria which received wide media reportage in Nigeria readily comes to mind.
Adegoke was once the envy of many of his friends after graduating from a University in Nigeria because he got a plum job in a micro-finance bank. Adegoke is no longer in Nigeria. He is suspected to have ran away to a foreign country to seek asylum after the Police made a spirited effort to arrest him because he was alleged to be a bisexual.
Media reports had it that Adegoke had gone for a social gathering by a group belonging to the LGBTQ club in Nigeria ,outside his place of residence.
He had told his family that he was going to a wedding ceremony and would not return same day . He never knew that his group were under police watch. He was lucky to have escaped arrest when the police swooped on them in the midnight, at a hotel where they gathered to engage in their style of love making and expression of deep affection.
Adegoke would have faced prosecution in Nigeria, and on conviction, dumped in prison for 14 years, even as Nigerian constitution guarantees freedom from discrimination, and the right to private and family life. What Nigeria was planning to punish Adegoke for, in some countries, isn’t a crime but a mere expression of basic freedom and right to association, peaceful assembly and other aspects of universal human rights. That is for countries that have not legislated against the practice.
In 2023, incidents similar to what nearly happened to Adegoke took place in the northern part of Nigeria. In Gombe state, officials of paramilitary agency in the country arrested more than 70 young people, 57 men and 17 women for allegedly ‘’holding homosexual birthdays ‘’ and having the intention to hold a same-sex marriage’’,
The battle against LGBTQ rights in Nigeria resurfaced with greater intensity two weeks ago starting in Kano, the most populous state in Nigeria. The Governor, Abba Yusuf, issued a statement announcing that his government will not tolerate any group suspected to be promoting and advocating for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights in the state. The governor’s directive came on the heels of rising tensions over the activities of groups allegedly promoting same-sex marriage in the state.
The Governor spoke through state Commissioner for Information, Baba Dantiye. The commissioner specifically stated that the state government will not accept any agreement that promotes the activities of gays and lesbians, as it contravenes the norms and values of the people of Kano and breaches the state’s moral standards.
The commissioner said the governor has mandated the Hisbah Board (local police) to crack down on groups promoting LGBT rights in the state. He said, “I spoke with the governor, and he assured me that there is no room for LGBT activities in Kano. As you know, 98% of Kano’s population are Muslims by faith, and our religion is against this immorality, so we can’t accept it.”
On allegations of groups promoting LGBT activities in the state, the commissioner stated that the government has received citizens’ concerns, and the governor has ordered Hisbah to investigate and take action against these groups. Dantiye also stated that there are ongoing consultations with religious leaders on how to curb such activities in the state. He added, “We also discussed this with the governor, and he directed Hisbah to investigate and crack down on them. We will take legal action as appropriate.” He emphasized.
