Ogun State Police Declare Gay Suspect Wanted Under Same-Sex Prohibition Law

<em>Oluwademilade Adekunle</em>

The Nigeria Police, Ogun State Command, has declared a 22-year-old, Oluwademilade Adekunle, wanted over alleged gay and same sex activities.

The police alleged that Adekunle has been engaging in the unholy act of gay activities in the Ajuwon area of the Ifo local government of Ogun State. This, he has been doing with his gay friends.

A statement from Ogun State Police Command, and signed by ASP Tunde Akinlotan, says the same sex activities of Adekunle and his cohorts are against the cultural, religious and traditional beliefs of the people, and more importantly, it is illegal under the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act (SSMPA), signed into federal law in 2014.

The police statement further says that upon intelligence information, the police moved in on Adekunle by inviting him for questioning and interrogation at Ajuwon Police Station, but upon his non-appearance at the station, a police team visited his known address, which happened to be his father’s house.

“To our surprise, our team of intelligent officers were told by the parents that the suspect had absconded from the house and probably might have fled the country.

“It is on this note that we are issuing this statement to alert the general public that Oluwademilade Adekunle is being wanted by the Nigeria Police, and whoever knows his whereabouts should report to the nearest police station or better still to the Divisional Police Officer at the Ajuwon Police Station,” the statement reads.

It would be recalled that Nigeria maintains some of the strictest anti-LGBTQ laws in Africa.

In 2014, former President Goodluck Jonathan signed the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act into law. The legislation bans same-sex marriage, same-sex cohabitation, and public displays of same-sex relationships, with offenders facing severe legal penalties.