Police arraign 47 For Allegedly Engaging In Homosexual Relationships

The Police in Lagos, on Wednesday, arraigned  47 Men before a Federal High Court in Lagos, for allegedly engaging same sex amorous relationship with each other.

The defendants were arraigned all arraigned before Justice Rilwan Aikawa on a one count charge of the alleged offence.

The police maintained that the defendants violated the provisions of Section 5(2) of the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2013.

The police had earlier alleged that the defendants were arrested at a Hotel in Egbeda area of Lagos on August 25, 2018, adding that they were picked up at 2:am while performing gay initiation rites for newly-recruited members.

They, however, all pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Following their plea, the prosecutor, John Ebhoremen urged the court to remand of the defendants in prison custody pending trial.

But, defence counsel, Israel Usman, informed the court that he had filed a bail application on behalf of the defendants.

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He, therefore, urged the court to admit them to bail, pending trial.

The prosecutor also informed the court of a counter affidavit, opposing the bail of the defendants.

After listening to arguments of counsel, Justice Aikawa held that although the charges against the defendants are serious, it is however bailable.

The judge held that bail can only be denied following the circumstances spelt out by law, adding that in the instant case the offence for which they are charged does not attract the capital punishment.

He, therefore, granted them bail in the sum of N500,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

The court directed that one of the sureties must be a civil servant of grade level 10 while the other must have a reasonable means of income, to be verified by the court.

The judge further held that each of the defendants shall sign an undertaking not to delay trial.

He also directed held that the defendants shall be remanded in police custody for 48 hours, but if they fail to meet the bail condition after 48 hours, they shall be transfered to prison custody.

Justice Aikawa then adjourned the case until December 11 for commencement of trial.

The defendants were first arraigned before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

They had all pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge of conspiracy, membership of a secret cult, and unlawful gathering.

Chief Magistrate Kikelomo Ayeye had admitted them to bail in the sum of ₦200,000 each, with one surety each in the like sum.

The police however, filed a count charge against the defendants at the Federal High Court.

In the charge marked FHC/1/311c, the police alleged that the defendants made “public show of a same sex amorous relationship with each other in hidden places within Kelly Hotel” Egbeda.

The defendants are: Segun Ode, 24; Afolabi David, 20; Azeez Tunde, 22; Adedokun Pelumi , 22; Smart Joel ; 25, Iyodun Ehiosun, 20; Rilwan Jamiu, 24; and Raphael Matthew ,38.

The others include:  Chibuike Emmanuel , 23 , Prince Collins, 23, Daniel Aya, 22, Alozie Innocent’, 21 , Kelvin Nwachukwu, 23, and Okekoya Gbemi, ’33.

Also charged are: Odika Emmanuel , 25, Kojo Emmanuel, ’27, Adewole Micheal , 27, Alabi Olamilekan , 21, Oluwaseun Odu , 26, and Oladipo Eniola , 24.

Others listed are: Desmond Onuha, ’23, Joseph Victor, 23, Omoniyi Tobi, ’21, Kelvin Abuchi , 22, Mohammed Abubakar 26, Lawal Yusuf , 22, Odusina Micheal, 23, Wole Ojo , 24, Abiombola Damilola, 21

Also named are; Laguda Olamilekan , 23, Alhassan Opeyemi, 23, Samson Ode, 23, Musibau Remi , 33, Olajide Olaide , 23, Isaac Patrick, 23, Wasiu Ajibade, 25, Oguaghanba Onyeka, 41, and Okechukwu Noble , 25.

The others are: Abioye Olasunkanmi , 25, Isa Asoma, 25, Rasheed GBenga, 25, Obiafor James , 20, Jesse Paul 22, Oladipo Femi, 25, Ogunirinde Yusuf 28, Chris Godsent , 23, Solomon showole, and others at large.