Police hunt for man over alleged violation of Nigeria’s same-sex law

The Nigeria Police Force, Lagos State Command, has launched manhunt for a 31-year-old man, Oluwasegun Ayomide Ewedairo for allegedly committing homosexuality.

A vigilante group had busted a residence in Lekki area of Lagos State where some men were having a gay party.

It was gathered that while some of the suspected homosexual men took to their heels upon the invasion of the vigilante, one of them, identified as Tobi Olurin, was apprehended and handed over to the Police.

Some neighbours had reportedly suspected the large movement of men into an apartment in the area before one of them alerted the local security group.

The building was reportedly occupied by men suspected of engaging in same-sex relationships, an act that contravenes the nation's 2014 Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act. The law prescribes a prison term of up to 10 years for individuals who directly or indirectly engage in or support same-sex relationships or organisations promoting such relationships in Nigeria.

The Chief Security Officer of the local vigilante group in the neighbourhood,
Mr Gbotemi Ijaya, stated that some suspicious neighbours had expressed concerns over the influx of men into a private apartment and that the noise from the party was uncomfortable.

Ijaya said Olurin had confessed up on his arrest that he was involved in homosexuality with Ewedairo, a native of Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Olurin further disclosed that he had been involved in homosexual acts with Ewedairo since they were in boarding school.

The security chief explained that some picture evidence of Olurin and Ewedairo were obtained where both of them were in romantic and sexual postures.

Ijaya said, "After our preliminary investigation, we obtained some pictures that showed that Ewedairo was involved in homosexual acts and that was why we handed over Olurin to the police. Ewedairo has been declared wanted by the police because bisexual act is unlawful."

The police have urged members of the public to alert any nearest police stations whenever they sight Ewedairo.