Ibadan: Man caught in homosexual act escapes lynching

Olaleye Amidu Bolaji, a married man who was caught in a homosexual act with his male friend, Tajudeen Rafiu, barely escaped with his life when his wife, landlord and some people in their community attacked him for the despicable act.

According to reports, it was the wife who caught them in the act and raised the alarm which alerted the whole community. The angry mob descended on them, but Olaleye escaped narrowly during the melee.

Investigations showed that Olaleye’s journey into same-sex relationship began when he was in high school. One Alamu Olufemi, a teacher, introduced him and some other boys in the hostel into homosexuality around January 2008. At first, the experience was not palatable, but with time Olaleye began to enjoy it and even looked forward to it.

They continued the secret affairs until they were caught in the act around 6.55pm on November 12, 2008 by the dreaded vigilante group called Odua People’s Congress (OPC).  The group known for their traditional and negative stance against same-sex activities were ready to kill them there and then if not for some family members who pleaded on their behalf for mercy with the promise to ensure the illicit activity never happened again.

Despite the promise enacted from Olaleye’s family, OPC refused to release them but rather threatened to hand them over to the police. In the end, after several appeals, the family was made to swear an affidavit to that effect.

 However, the teacher was dismissed from service with immediate effect, while Olaleye was also recommended for rustication but was allowed to take his final examination as he had already paid for it.

The current problem started when Olaleye gained admission into the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA). While studying in the institution, he met Tajudeen Rafiu and thus began their unholy alliance which went on for the years they were in school and continued after their studies. It was this relationship that almost led to his lynching when he caught during an amorous moment with Tajudeen.

Olaleye got married in 2021 to his wife, Aminat Moromoke with two children, a boy and girl, namely Khosiah Temidire and Iklaas Irenitemi due to pressure from his family. This, he consented to in order to hide his bisexual tendencies from his immediate society and also to make his family think he was no longer involved in homosexuality, but he continued his bisexual relationship with his lover. Their relationship continued unbroken and undiscovered until the year 2022.

Since that near lynching experience of 2022, Olaleye has been on the run from his family, the dreaded ultra-conservative Odua People’s Congress (OPC) and the general society who are all out to get him for what they perceive to be his involvement in a sordid, illicit, sinful and disgraceful sexual orientation. They have declared Olaleye Amidu Bolaji a persona non grata and sworn to kill him wherever he may be found in order to save their honour and family name.