President Goodluck Jonathan has signed into law the bill for the
prohibition of same-sex unions. The signed bill says the gays, lesbians in Nigeria will risk a
14-year jail term if they do not retrace their steps and renounce such
marriage.
Also, any person who operates or participates in gay clubs,
societies and organizations directly or indirectly will earn 10-year
imprisonment. Those who administer witness, abet or aid the solemnization of a
same sex marriage are going to bag 10-year jail term.
The Senate previously passed the bill in November 2011.
Lawmakers in Nigeria’s house of representatives affirmed the decision by the
Senate on May 29, 2013.
The President assented to the Act last week, on January 7, 2014,
but the details on this action have just leaked the web.
“I certify that this Bill has been carefully compared by me with
the decision reached by the National Assembly and found by me to be true and
correct decision of the Houses and is in accordance with the provisions of the
Acts Authentication Act Cap. A2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. I
assent,” The assent note read.
“The President has signed the Same sex Marriage (Prohibition)
Bill into law. This has foreclosed any pressure on President Jonathan not to
assent to the bill.
“We received inquiries from some foreign embassies on why the
bill was signed into law. But we told them that our cultural values do not
tolerate same sex marriage.
“Also, we made it clear that since most Nigerians were opposed
to the bill, the parliament acted in line with the wish of the majority. We are
in a democratic setting, the President has no choice than to bow to the wish of
the people.
“These
embassies were shocked but there is no going back. We hope they will also abide
by the decision of Nigerians,” a source close the President revealed.
According to some abstracts, obtained by The Nation, the Act
reads:
“A
marriage contract or civil union entered into between persons of same sex: (a)
is prohibited in Nigeria; and (b) shall not be recognized as entitled to the
benefits of a valid marriage.
The Act also stipulates the volume of the sanctions awaiting the
violators of the new law.
“A person who enters into a same sex marriage contract or civil
union commits an offense and is liable on conviction to a term of 14 years
imprisonment.
“A person who registers, operates or participates in gay clubs,
societies and organizations directly or indirectly makes public show of same
sex amorous relationship in Nigeria commits an offense and is liable on
conviction to a term of 10 years imprisonment.
“A person or group of persons who administers, witnesses, abets
or aids the solemnization of a same sex marriage or civil union of supports the
registration, operation and sustenance of gay clubs, societies, organizations,
processions or meetings in Nigeria commits an offense and is liable on
conviction to a term of 10 years imprisonment.
“The
High Court of a State or of the Federal Capital Territory shall have
jurisdiction to entertain matters raiding from the breach of the provisions of
this Act.”
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