POLICE IN IBADAN CHARGE TWO YOUNG TWO MEMBERS OF THE NYSC WITH HAVING HOMOSEXUAL RELATIONSHIP.

POLICE in Ibadan have charged two members of the National Youth Service Corps with having a homosexual relationship under the government's recently-passed Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Law.

On January 7 this year, President Goodluck Jonathan signed the law into force, making anyone guilty of being involved in a gay affair liable to 14 years in prison. Yesterday, Otega Daniel, 27 and Sulaimon Abari, 26, were arraigned before an Ibadan Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting at Iyaganku under the law for engaging in homosexual acts with a student.

Mr Abari, a graduate of the Lagos State University and Mr Otega were alleged to have performed the act while serving at St Louis Secondary School in Ibadan. They were arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy, procuring as well as getting hold of their victim.

Prosecutor Inspector Olufemi Eyiaromi, told the court that the two accused persons conspired to commit the offence. He alleged that Mr Daniel procured and got hold of the male student, took him into a room, laid him on a bed as well as caressed and orally sucked his manhood until the minor released semen.

He also alleged that Mr Abari committed the same offence on the victim. according to the prosecution, the duo committed the offence sometime in November 2013 at Osungbade in the Odo-Oba area of Ibadan.

According to Inspector Eyiaromi, the offences contravened sections 217 and 516 (A) of the Criminal Code Cap.38, Vol.II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000. Both of the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Chief Magistrate Kehinde Durosaro-Tijani granted each accused bail in the sum of N100,000 (£370) with one blood relation as surety. She also directed that the surety must present three years tax clearance certificate while each accused person must present his original university certificate as part of the bail condition.

Of late, Nigeria has begun clamping down on its gay community, passing the Same Sex Prohibition Law and the police have been aggressively rounding up gays and lesbians. Under the harsh new regime, anyone convicted of engaging in a same sex marriage is liable to serve 14 years in prison, while anyone aiding or abetting such relationships faces a 10 year jail term.