The Federal House of Representatives has endorsed a 14-year prison term for Nigerians who commit same-sex marriage. In addition, anyone who directly or indirectly publicly displays same-sex relationships will be put behind bars for 10 years.
This came after deliberations on a bill for an Act to prohibit marriage or union entered between persons of same sex at the Committee of the Whole, which was introduced by Albert Sam-Tsokwa (PDP-Taraba).
“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,” the lower chamber said.
“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.”
According to Sam-Tsokwa, the bill will achieve the important target of prohibiting same-sex marriage and as well punish defaulters.
The bill will be forwarded for concurrence to the Senate, which approved its own bill punishing same-sex marriages by up to 14 years in prison and abetters of such unions by 10 years in prison as far back as November 2011.
This decision is bound to ruffle some feathers in the western world, considering that Prime Minister of Britain, David Cameron, for example recently threatened countries legislating against gay rights with withdrawal of foreign aid.
