Nigerian Lady Risks Jail Term Over Same Sex Marriage

From Paul Uyana, Owerri

A thirty six 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 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 and protect the society.

The statement disclosed that Njoku and her partner 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, arguing that the matter is currently before the Court and as such cannot discuss with the media on the issue.

Newstrack investigations however revealed that Njoku had been arrested on few occasions by the Police over the matter but had remained adamant over her decision to partner, who is said to be younger than her.