On January 7 2014, former president Dr Goodluck Jonathan signed Nigeria's Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Bill into law, which makes being gay punishable with 14 years in jail. Since the passing of the law, Nigeria has been under pressure from the international community to tone it down, as the criminalisation of people simply for the sexuality is regarded as a breach of human rights.
Last November, detectives in the Delta State capital Asaba, arrested 21 students for being involved in homosexual activities in a similar clampdown on lesbian and gay activities by the authorities. Yesterday the Government College Ughelli principal Vincent Useh, told the Old Boys Association that the action was taken in a bid to move the institution forward and serve as a deterrent to others.
Professor Omatete Oristsegbemi, the president of the association, advised parents to be diligent in the upbringing of their wards, adding that the association would not condone any act of indiscipline from any student. At the event, the association commissioned the refurbished Orerokpe Hostel and committed to building a power generating house for the dining hall.
Nigeria's Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act of 2014 punishes gay relationships with 14 years in prison and belonging to gay associations with 10 years in prison. It also criminalises a failure to report homosexual activity to police, which automatically threatens the friends and families of gays living in Nigeria.
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