Nigerian Woman declared wanted under anti-gay laws amid blackmail, FGM conflict

Authorities have declared a Nigerian woman, Bankole Roseline O., wanted following allegations of involvement in a same-sex relationship, a criminal offense under the country’s Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act (SSMPA).

The police confirmed that officers visited Roseline’s Lagos residence on August 31, 2025, to deliver a formal summons for questioning. At the time of the visit, she was reportedly away while recuperating from stress-related health issues.

Her subsequent failure to appear before the authorities triggered the wanted declaration, placing her at risk of significant prison time under the federal statute.

Sources close to the matter indicate that the legal pursuit began after an incident involving her brother-in-law, Bankole Kamoru. It is alleged that while Roseline’s husband was on a business trip to Togo, Kamoru discovered her with a female partner, identified as Basirat Edu.

Kamoru reportedly took photographs without consent and circulated them within a family WhatsApp group. Insiders claim these images were used to extort money from Roseline; however, despite her compliance with the financial demands, the threats escalated until the matter was brought to the attention of the police.

The case is further complicated by a history of domestic friction. Family insiders reveal that Roseline had long been at odds with her husband’s relatives over her staunch opposition to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Certain family members had reportedly insisted on the procedure for her daughter, a demand Roseline successfully blocked, leading to deep-seated resentment within the family circle.

Following the police intervention and the heightened threats from her in-laws, Roseline reportedly fled her home with her children. She is currently believed to be moving between undisclosed locations to evade arrest and potential violence from family members who have turned against her.

Human rights observers note that Roseline’s ordeal mirrors a broader pattern of persecution documented by international organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

In Nigeria, the SSMPA often serves as a tool for personal vendettas, leaving accused individuals with little to no legal protection against blackmail, social ostracization, or state-sanctioned detention.

As of today, Roseline remains in hiding. Human rights advocates warn that her situation is critical, given the intersection of a criminal manhunt and the involvement of family members in her persecution.