Uganda and Nigeria: 2 sexual encounters, 3 arrests

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

Online news sites reported three recent arrests in Nigeria and Uganda on charges of violating their nations’ anti-homosexuality laws. The accounts have not been independently verified, but the Ugandan story is accompanied by a photo of the defendant’s official bail document.

Uganda: Two women apprehended, but only one arrested

Prose Namwebe at the Bukomansimbi police station in Uganda. (Photo courtesy of The Insider)

The Insider and 24 Seven News reported that Prose Namwebe, described as a “top business woman,” was arrested in Bukomansimbi in central Uganda on an accusation of lesbian activity.

The offense was allegedly committed with a Muslim cleric’s daughter who was described as young but whose age was specified.

Namwebe was released on bond on Jan. 20 after promising to return to the Bukomansimbi police station on Feb. 3.

According to the two accounts of the arrest, a source in the police department said that a neighbor tipped off the father that his daughter was having a relationship with Prose, “who would sneak into his house whenever [he] would be away from his home.”

After he found the pair in his daughter’s bedroom, he contacted police.

“The couple was apprehended but prior to reaching the police station [the daughter] escaped while Prose was detained,” the articles said. Police reportedly saved the couple from being lynched.

The legal status of the daughter was unclear.

Nigeria: Two men charged for love-making in jeep

Ikeja Magistrates Court and High Court complex. (Photo courtesy of ladunliadinews.com)

The Guardian of Lagos, Nigeria, reported on arrests in Ikeja, just north of Lagos:

Two men, who allegedly had anal sex inside a jeep, were on Tuesday [Jan. 26] docked at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court. The accused – Innocent Egbuna, 33, and Jide Ajayi, 21 – are being tried for a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy and act of gross indecency.

Egbuna, who claimed to be a soldier, lives at No. 22, Support Regiment, Ijebu-Ode in Ogun, while Ajayi, an unemployed, is a resident of No. 28, Owoduni St., Onipanu on Ikorodu Expressway.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Joseph Ajebe, told the court that the offences were committed on Jan. 18 at Ajao Road, Ikeja. According to him, the accused were caught by an anti-crime patrol team at Ikeja. “The accused were found inside a parked Nissan Jeep with registration no. KSF 914 AC having anal sexual intercourse.

“Ajayi said Egbuna accosted him and told him to have sex with him, promising to give substantial amount of money and that he will also take him to the club to have a nice time.

“Ajayi agreed because he was frustrated and did not have money to fend for himself,” Ajebe said.
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The offences contravened Sections 136, 166 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Section 136 provides three years for act of gross indecency, while Section 166 prescribes a N15,000 fine [about US $75] or imprisonment for three months for disorderly act. Section 409 stipulates a two-year jail term for conspiracy.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty. Ruling on the bail application of the accused, the Chief Magistrate, Mr Alexander Komolafe, granted the two men bail in the sum of N100,000 [about US $500] each with two sureties each in like sum. Further hearing in the case has been adjourned to Mar. 7.

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