Nigerian pastor on trial for rumored gay sex

Colin Stewart is a 45-year journalism veteran living in Southern…

Journalist Dan Littauer reports on Huffington Post:

Published photo of Benjamin Ndubuisi after his arrest leads human rights activists to conclude that he was beaten. (Photo courtesy of SpyGhana)

This week police in Aba state, Nigeria, had 40-year-old Benjamin Ndubuisi go on trial for having gay sex with a 23-year-old man, based on rumors.

Police allege that Ndubuisi, who they say is a pastor, had sex with a younger man who worked at his Ogbor Hill church, basing their case entirely on what appears to be verbal reports of locals.

The parents of the younger man, known only by his first name, Ndukwe, described in Nigeria’s anti-gay media as a “victim,” allegedly reported to the police the alleged incident after he complained of “health problems” that led him to confess “to his family about the secret love affairs between him and the gay prophet [Ndubuisi].” …

The law stipulates 14 years imprisonment on conviction for the offense, and the prosecution is asking for this punishment.

Ndubuisi pleaded not guilty.

Magistrate K. I. Udo granted Ndubuisi bail in the sum of N200,000 (US$1,250) with a surety in like sum.

The case was adjourned to Sept. 9 for further hearing.

Ndubuisi’s case has been widely publicized in Nigeria in a highly homophobic manner, claim Nigerian LGBT advocates.

Nigerian LGBT advocates criticized the case, pointing to the fact that it is based on rumors and may have involved beating Ndubuisi during his capture.

For more information, read the full article “In Nigeria a Mere Rumor of Being Gay Can Lead to Violence and Imprisonment.”