According to a report by Channels TV , seven
men appeared in court in Bauchi on
Wednesday, Jan. 22, on charges of being
involved in same-sex relationships.
The case drew thousands of
protesters to the court, who threw
stones at the men as they were being
transported back to prison after the
trial, as security forces fired into
the air to disperse the angry crowd.
The men were arrested by the
Bauchi State Sharia Commission for
allegedly engaging in homosexual
activities, acts that contravene the
Islamic laws which the state had
been operating under since 2001.
The men were named as Shehu
Adamu, Yusuf Adamu, Aliyu
Dalhatu, Abdulmalik Tanko, Usman
Sabo and Hazif Sabo Abubakar and
Ibrahim Marafa. Continue...
It was the first case since President Goodluck
Jonathan signed a bill that criminalises same-
sex relationships, defying Western pressure over
gay rights and provoking criticism from the
United States.
The bill, which contains penalties of up to 14
years in prison and bans gay marriage, same-
sex “amorous relationships” and membership of
gay rights groups, was passed by the National
Assembly last May but Jonathan had delayed
signing it into law until early January.
At Thursday’s trial, the prosecuting lawyer said
the case was a direct result of the recently-
passed law.
“This is further to the law against homosexuals
which was signed by the President. It has to be
implemented. People caught breaking this law
must be prosecuted accordingly,” said Danlami
Ayuba.
The trial was adjourned to January 27.
men appeared in court in Bauchi on
Wednesday, Jan. 22, on charges of being
involved in same-sex relationships.
The case drew thousands of
protesters to the court, who threw
stones at the men as they were being
transported back to prison after the
trial, as security forces fired into
the air to disperse the angry crowd.
The men were arrested by the
Bauchi State Sharia Commission for
allegedly engaging in homosexual
activities, acts that contravene the
Islamic laws which the state had
been operating under since 2001.
The men were named as Shehu
Adamu, Yusuf Adamu, Aliyu
Dalhatu, Abdulmalik Tanko, Usman
Sabo and Hazif Sabo Abubakar and
Ibrahim Marafa. Continue...
It was the first case since President Goodluck
Jonathan signed a bill that criminalises same-
sex relationships, defying Western pressure over
gay rights and provoking criticism from the
United States.
The bill, which contains penalties of up to 14
years in prison and bans gay marriage, same-
sex “amorous relationships” and membership of
gay rights groups, was passed by the National
Assembly last May but Jonathan had delayed
signing it into law until early January.
At Thursday’s trial, the prosecuting lawyer said
the case was a direct result of the recently-
passed law.
“This is further to the law against homosexuals
which was signed by the President. It has to be
implemented. People caught breaking this law
must be prosecuted accordingly,” said Danlami
Ayuba.
The trial was adjourned to January 27.
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