Nigeria Home of the "Social Media Scammer" Arrested 76 People Suspected of Being Gay

 

Seventy-six people were arrested for attending a birthday party for gay people in northern Nigeria, the country’s paramilitary agency said on Monday, adding that the organizer had also planned to hold a same-sex wedding, which is illegal.

These are the latest arrests targeting LGBTQ Nigerians after police in August raided a gay wedding in the southern city of Warri in Delta state and arrested dozens of people. The accused are out on bail.

In Nigeria, like in most parts of Africa, homosexuality is generally viewed as unacceptable, and a 2014 anti-gay law took effect despite international condemnation.

 

The Gombe NSCDC said in a statement that the organizer of the birthday party had also planned to wed another man, who was still at large before police raided the event.

The anti-gay law in Africa’s most populous nation includes a prison term of up to 14 years for those convicted and bans gay marriage, same-sex relationships, and membership of gay rights groups. 

The case was expected to be heard in the Gombe state High Court on Tuesday, Saad said.

The suspects were first paraded to the media by police before being charged in court. That is worse than jail time.

A police official described the alleged gay wedding as evil, adding “We cannot copy the western world… we are Nigeria, and we must follow the culture of this country.”

Ohimor told CNN he has faced “serious criticism” for defending the suspects.

“I have been scandalized,” he added. “Some say I’m a gay lawyer that’s why I’m defending them. People look at me with disgust for standing for them.”

The Anti Gay law in Nigeria calls for up to 14 years. They are expected to be released on bail.