Nigerian Lady Risks Jail Term Over Same Sex Marriage

From Paul Uyana, Owerri

A thirty five year old lady, Jane Njoku, has been dragged to Court for violating Nigeria’s Anti-Gay law, which prohibits same sex marriage, following her proposal to another lady who she has been reportedly having affairs with.

The Nigerian Anti-Gay criminalises same-sex relationships with a punishment of 14 years in imprisonment. The contentious Bill was signed into law by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014.

Miss Njoku who had faced stiff criticism from close friends and family members since openly disclosing her sexual status, has been dragged to Court by Abia State Government and the National Orientation Agency (NOA).

The Agency in a statement obtained by Newstrack, noted that the decision to prosecute Njoku and other identified suspects, is to enforce the country’s Anti-Gay Law and protect the society.

The statement disclosed that Njoku will be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others, adding that, “the evidence we have against Njoku, is enough to establish a case against her and we are not going to rest on our oars until the society is purged of those people engaging in same-sex relationships “.

Meanwhile, efforts to get Njoku to comment on the matter were abortive, also her Lawyer, Barrister Afam Andy, declined comment, stating that the matter is currently before the Court and cannot discuss with the media on the issue.

Newstrack investigations however revealed that Njoku was arraigned after she was arrested by the Police while being attacked by a mob that caught her with a female partner.

If convicted, she risks fourteen years in prison without an option of fine.