A community leader in FESTAC area of Lagos State, Mr Maxwell Ononiwu has called on the police to ensure that a suspected bisexual offender, Mr Isaac Ifeanyi Akawuba who was alleged to had sexual intercourse with male in the FESTAC area of Lagos State face justice.
Following complain by concerned tenants in the neighbourhood to Mr Ononiwu, chairman landlord association in the area, the matter was reported at FESTAC Police station and in October 17th, 2023, Mr Akawuba was arrested by men of Area E, police command, FESTAC town.
According to Ononiwu, while he and other complainants were expecting the police to prosecute the case by charging the matter to court, Akawuba was granted bail by the police and on the date the suspect was expected to appear at the police station for possible prosecution, he failed to turn up prompting the community and religious leaders to appeal to the police to ensure that Akawuba who is suspected to be on the run is apprehended.
On why Akawuba must face justice, Ononiwu said bisexual act is a serious offence against nature and Affican values thus allowing persons like Akawuba to be roaming the street endangers unsuspecting members of the public much as it erodes our common values.
“Since he failed to show up at the police station on the 30th of November 2023 as expected, religious and community leaders in the area have threatened mass protest and are inclined to resort to jungle justice wherever the suspect is apprehended. However, “His arrest and subsequent prosecution would also deter other persons from practising Bisexuality in the country,” Ononiwu said.
Same-sex relationship is prohibited under the Criminal Code Act and the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act 2013 (SSMPA) which between them criminalise acts of ‘carnal knowledge against the order of nature’, ‘gross indecency’, same-sex unions, and LGBT advocacy. In Nigeria, these provisions carry a maximum penalty of fourteen years’ imprisonment and death penalty under the Sharia legal system at the state level. Both men and women are criminalised under the law
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