The House of Representatives on
Thursday approved 14 years imprisonment
for persons who contracted same sex
marriage in the country.
This was sequel to a clause-by-clause
consideration of a Bill for an Act to
prohibit marriage or union entered
between persons of same sex, at the
Committee of the Whole.
“Marriage or civil union entered between
persons of same gender shall not be
solemnised in any place of worship,
either church or mosque or any place in
Nigeria,” it said.
Introducing the bill, Rep. Albert Sam-
Tsokwa ( PDP-Taraba) said that it sought
to achieve a far reaching objective by
outlawing same sex marriage and provide
punishment for offenders.
It also set out a 10-year sentence for
“any person who directly or indirectly
makes public show of same-sex amorous
relationships’’.
“Any persons or group of persons that
administers, witnesses, screen and
shields the solemnisation of same sex
marriage in Nigeria on conviction, will
be liable to 10 years imprisonment.’’
It would be recalled also that the
British Prime Minister, David Cameron,
had warned that his country would
consider withholding aid from countries
that did not recognise gay rights.
In Nov. 2011, the senate approved the
bill that would make same-sex marriages
punishable by up to 14 years for the
couple and 10 for anyone abetting such
unions.
The bill is expected to be sent to the
Senate for concurrence. (NAN)
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