A court in Nigeria has granted bail to 69 individuals who were arrested last month in connection with an alleged same-sex wedding, an act considered illegal in the country. The lawyer representing the accused disclosed this information on Tuesday.
In Nigeria, as in many parts of Africa, homosexuality is widely regarded as culturally and religiously unacceptable. In 2014, the country enacted an anti-gay law, despite facing international criticism.
The ruling, issued by a court in the southern oil-producing Delta state, permits the suspects to be released from prison detention upon posting bail of 500,000 naira ($645) each to the court, according to their lawyer, Ochuko Ohimor.
Although the suspects did not appear in court, they have been directed to register at the court in Warri town once a month until their next hearing, as per Ohimor’s statement. Additionally, they are required to provide sureties who will submit their information to the court. Ohimor stated that he is currently in the process of handling their paperwork.
Despite opposition from state prosecutors, the court decided to grant bail to the suspects, reasoning that they were not facing a capital offense, according to Ohimor. As of now, state prosecutors have not commented on the matter.
The anti-gay law in Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, imposes penalties of up to 14 years in prison for individuals found guilty of homosexual acts. It also prohibits same-sex marriage, same-sex relationships, and participation in gay rights organizations.
