A woman identified as Tina Awele Ogbechie has reportedly been banished from Umuolo Quarters, Onicha-Olona, in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State by elders of her community following allegations concerning her sexual orientation .
The alleged banishment was said to have followed firm decision taken by the community’s council of elders, who reportedly blamed her for the death of her parents .
According to confirmed reports surrounding the incident, Tina’s father had suffered from severe trauma before his death in 2024 prompting elders of the community to set-up a committee of elders to investigate circumstances surrounding allegations concerning Tina’s late father’s demise.
The elders were said to have reportedly linked the entire development in the family to the shocking discovery of Tina’s reported involvement in act of same-sex relationship with her secret partner and her sheer refusal to settle into marriage.
Having being warned not to attend her late mother’s burial, Tina’s elder brother was said to have told her to either change her hardline stance about her sexual orientation, or risk incuring the wrath of the elders council if she chose to continue with her sexual orientation and decision not to marry.
Meanwhile, the elders council in a statement dated March19, 2025 reportedly made available to journalists in Aniocha north local government area had formally announced the banishment order on Tina Awele Ogbechie from the entire community, citing her alleged involvement in same-sex relationships and sheer refusal to give up her sexual orientation and settle into marriage.
The statement reportedly warned and directed that Tina should be arrested and handed over to the police for prosecution in accordance with the provisions of the law if she were ever seen within the community adding that youths and local vigilantes within the community were constantly on the look out for her.
The statement added that following careful deliberations on the case before the council of elders,Tina Awele Ogbechie, a native of Umuolo Quarters, Onicha-Olona, in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State is hereby banished from the community forthwith owing to her involvement in act of sacrilege against the community which bothers on her sexual orientation as a lesbian.
Reacting to the banishment order on Tina, a close family member who craved anonymity, commended the council of elders for its firm decision to banish her away from the community adding that the final decision, which has given the entire family a huge sigh of relief, will serve as a deterrent to others in the community
In Nigeria, the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2013, provides for a prison sentence of up to 14 years upon conviction for entering into a same-sex marriage or civil union.
