The Edo State Police Command has declared Frank Junior Agbonkhese wanted in connection with an ongoing investigation into alleged same-sex practices involving multiple suspects in Benin City.
The matter came to public attention following an incident on February 14, 2024, in a remote community within the Benin area.
One Opeyemi Shittu was reportedly apprehended alongside another male suspect, identified simply as David, after a resident allegedly caught them and raised an alarm.
A crowd of local residents gathered at the scene before police officers on patrol intervened, rescuing the suspects from an impending mob attack. The two individuals were subsequently taken into police custody for further investigation.
In a statement made available to journalists in Benin City, the Edo State Police Command confirmed it is investigating the case.
The investigation widened after nude photographs allegedly linking Frank Junior Agbonkhese to the two detained men were discovered on one of the suspects’ phones.
The Command further disclosed that Opeyemi Shittu later died from injuries he sustained during the mob attack prior to the police intervention.
The second suspect, David, is currently assisting investigators, and information obtained from him has further linked Agbonkhese to the case.
The Command has appealed to members of the public with useful information regarding the whereabouts of the wanted suspect to report to the nearest police station or contact the Edo State Police Command directly.
Meanwhile, the development has continued to generate reactions within the community, with some residents expressing shock over the allegations and others calling for due process and a thorough police investigation.
A local resident, Michael Ojo, described the allegations as disturbing and urged young people to uphold moral values.
A family source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, stated that the situation had caused immense emotional distress for the relatives of the wanted suspect, noting that the family was entirely unaware of his alleged involvement in same-sex activities during his undergraduate years.
Efforts to reach members of the Agbonkhese family for official comments were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
However, a family source disclosed that the suspect’s mother is currently receiving medical treatment at an undisclosed location following the shock of the incident.
Under Nigeria’s Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, individuals convicted of entering into a same-sex marriage contract or civil union face up to 14 years in prison, while those who register, operate, or participate in same-sex clubs, societies, and organizations face up to 10 years imprisonment.
