Gay Club Owners Arrested In Bauchi, Nigeria – 24 Homosexuals Caught In Ibadan & Owerri

5 men had appeared in an Islamic court in Bauchi on
January 6 and four had pleaded guilty under Sharia
law to forming a gay club.
"They were arraigned by the Bauchi state Sharia
Commission… following an allegation that they had
formed a gay club and received $150,000 from the
United States," said court clerk Abdul Mohammed.
All five were remanded in custody until the next
hearing on January 23, he added.
The Bauchi state Sharia Commission chief Mustapha
Baba Ilela meanwhile said at least 12 people had
been arrested on suspicion of breaking Sharia laws
banning sodomy since the start of the year.
"All the accused were apprehended by the
community, which is averse to homosexuality, and
handed over to us," he added.
"The suspects confessed to committing the act they
are accused of without threat or inducement and we
have the audio and written confessions."
Dorothy Aken'ova, the executive director of the
International Centre for Reproductive Health and
Sexual Rights, added that the police in Bauchi had
more than 160 names on a list and were planning
arrests.
Since the law was signed, she said 24 people had
been arrested in three southern states — 12 in
Ibadan, Oyo; six in Owerri, Imo; and six in Awka, the
capital of Anambra.
Most of the people arrested had previously been
detained but had been re-arrested since the new law
was announced, she added.
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan signed a bill
into law against gay marriage and civil partnerships
earlier this month, despite international pressure for
him to reject it.
The legislation imposes penalties of up to 14 years'
imprisonment for anyone found to have entered into
such a union, while anyone found to support gay
groups or clubs runs the risk of 10 years' jail.
The law, which effectively reinforces existing bans on
homosexuality in Nigeria, has been widely
condemned abroad as draconian.
The United States said it was "deeply concerned"
while the UN human rights commissioner, Navi Pillay,
accused Nigeria of trampling over the rights of
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
Gay rights activists within and outside Nigeria said
the law legitimized homophobic violence and
increased fears of persecution.
President Jonathan's move has been widely accepted
among evangelical Christians especially in the south.

Sent From David Aniemeka