Nigerian man beaten in court for having sex with a man 7 years ago

From the Advocate: A man in Nigeria was beaten by authorities this week for having had sex with another man seven years ago.


Mubarak Ibrahim, 20, was punished for retroactively violating a law that President Goodluck Jonathan signed earlier this month, which criminalizes homosexuality and bans same-sex marriages. While Ibrahim would have been a minor at the time, the BBC report did not disclose the terms under which he had sexual contact with another male.

In addition to 20 lashes, Ibrahim was also ordered to pay a fine of about $30.

According to the BBC, Ibrahim was whipped in the court with a animal skin smeared in oil. He screamed in pain as the lashes came down on his back in a packed courtroom.

He is one of several men who were arrested in the weeks leading up to the signage of the bill. Eleven men in total are facing death under Islamic law, and a 12th man, who is Christian, would be punished under secular law.

Nigeria: Eleven men face stoning to death for homosexuality

The BBC reports on the citizens' arrest and upcoming "trial" of 11 men in Nigeria:

An Islamic court in Nigeria's northern state of Bauchi has put on trial 11 Muslim men accused of being homosexuals in violation of their religion, a religious leader has told the BBC.

A 12th person arrested - a Christian - would be tried under secular law, a BBC reporter says.

Under Islamic law, a person can be sentenced to death by stoning if convicted of homosexuality.

It is also illegal to have gay sex in Nigeria, according to its secular laws.

Jibrin Danlami Hassan, the commissioner of Bauchi state's Sharia Commission, said the alleged homosexuals were arrested by residents of Bauchi city. They were handed to the Islamic police force, which interrogated them, he said. "They accept that they are doing that dirty game," Mr Hassan said.

Ms Aken'Ova said some of those arrested had been beaten up and tortured, but Mr Hassan denied this.

One day after the strict anti-LGBT bill — dubbed the “Jail the Gays” law — was signed into law in Nigeria, police arrested dozens of gay men, The Associated Press reports.

Police allegedly based the arrests on a list of 168 suspects purportedly obtained through torture.

Nigeria: Anti-gay law "enforcers" plan to hunt down gays

With the passage of the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill in Nigeria, anti-gay forces are now emboldened to hunt down gays and lesbians in order to form a "decent society."


From Google News:

Islamic law enforcers in north Nigeria's biggest city on Wednesday vowed a crackdown on homosexual activity, in the wake of new anti-gay marriage legislation that has sparked international outrage.

The deputy head of the Hisbah in Kano state, Usman Nabahani, told AFP that the new law banning gay marriage and civil partnerships was a "welcome development".

"Definitely, we will work tirelessly toward the enforcement of this law by the special grace of God," he added.

"From now on, we will go into every nook and corner of Kano state to ensure that (the prohibition of) prostitution, gay marriages, marriages of the same sex and consumption of alcohol... is fully complied with, so that we can have a decent society.

"We are given more power, we are given more support now to wage serious war against these issues."

Homosexual acts have long been illegal in Nigeria, but Monday's bill also made it a crime punishable by ten years in prison to form gay clubs, promote LGBT rights, or stage same-sex ceremonies.

(h/t JMG)

Nigeria outlaws marriage equality

Nigeria has outlawed same-sex marriage and civil unions in a bill approved by president Goodluck Jonathan, according to his spokesman.

The Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill 2013, called "discriminatory" by Amnesty International, sets jail terms of up to 14 years for anyone entering gay marriage or civil partnership and also bans LGBT organisations altogether.

"I can confirm that the president has signed the bill into law," Goodluck Jonathan's spokesman Reuben Abati told AFP.

Abati said the bill, adopted by the Senate in 2011, was signed by Goodluck Jonathan "because it is consistent with the attitude of most Nigerians towards homosexuality".

"More than 90 percent of Nigerians are opposed to same sex marriage. So, the law is in line with our cultural and religious beliefs as a people," he added.

(Via International Business Times)

Nigeria passes bill making being gay punishable by up to 14 years in prison

Lawmakers in Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, passed a bill Thursday banning gay marriage and outlawing anyone from forming organizations supporting gay rights. Violations could result in prison terms of up to 14 years for offenders.

According to the Huffington Post, Nigeria's House of Representatives approved the bill in a voice vote, and it is possible that President Goodluck Jonathan will sign the legislation into law.

Nigeria's Senate previously passed the bill in November 2011.

Under previous versions of the proposed law, couples who marry could face up to 14 years each in prison. Witnesses or anyone who helps couples marry could be sentenced to 10 years behind bars.

(image via Memeographs)