On the 28th of August 2023 in the early hours of the morning, a supposed queer August meeting and award event was raided by the Delta state police command. According to the police command, they arrested over 100 gay suspects in the state allegedly organizing a gay wedding ceremony in a hotel. The police claimed the persons arrested were violating the Same-sex Marriage Prohibition Act 2014, which bans same-sex marriage and imposes up to 14 years imprisonment for offenders. However, 43 persons were able to bail themselves out while 67 are still in police custody.
It is no longer news that whenever situations like this happen, the police and mainstream media changes the narrative and as usual use, these people as a tool for publicity and exposes them to answering sensitive question about their sexuality and health status, Nigerian society enjoys when people who identify as queer are ridiculed and is un-African violated on the premise of “Homosexuality”.
The good book says “A suspect is innocent until proven guilty” but the reverse is the case here, as some of the persons arrested were asked to show their genitals on video, this video is presently used on social media to reference conversations about all queer men and trans-women being infected with genital warts.
Thankfully, A group of human rights lawyers, organizations, and activists are at the forefront of making sure they get released soon, but the question we are all left with is” How and when do we start developing a holistic safety and security plan for organizing in countries where homosexuality is criminalized?
very bad to hear this injustice, we stand with them to get released as quick as possible!!!
This news is very heartbreaking. I got the information on our staff platform and my organisation has received a report on it so far from our country champion in Nigeria.
We hope things don't get worse for the remaining persons waiting to get bailed. In solidarity with them.
An update coming in is that 69 defendants have been remanded to prison for 14 days by Honourable Justice C.E Achilefu of the High Court of Delta State, Nigeria.
The source is Minority Watch.
The information regarding this case is uncertain. As far as I know, bail has been granted, but it comes at a high cost of 5 million naira and requires a surety with properties worth millions of naira among other requirements. Unfortunately, only a few people were able to afford the fee and get bail. It's saddening to imagine the condition the others are in and the fact that their families have neglected them. Many people are still in custody because they cannot afford the bail requirements.