Not fewer than even ladies were arrested in October 2023 for allegedly engaging in homosexual acts at a party organized by Chiz Entertainment in the Alimosho area of Lagos.
The party was allegedly promoted by Chiz Entertainment, which is said to promote LGBTQ activities. Three of the arrested individuals reportedly jumped bail, putting their sureties under pressure from the police and at risk of detention until the accused are produced.
The police have launched a manhunt for those at large, including Mr. Chinozo Albert, CEO of Chiz Entertainment, Florence Rebecca Martins, and Motunrayo Saidat Soyomi. The police are working to apprehend the accused and are not ruling out the possibility that their families may try to hide them.
A surety, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed frustration and embarrassment over the situation, stating: “Standing in for someone only to discover they’ve absconded is a difficult pill to swallow. If care isn’t taken, you’ll inevitably bear the burden of the offense.” The surety revealed he is cooperating with the police, trusting they’ll diligently work towards re-arresting the individual, while acknowledging the emotional toll of the experience.
Nigeria’s laws and social norms strictly prohibit homosexual activities, with a penalty of up to 14 years in prison. The Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act, signed into law in 2014, further reinforces these restrictions, making it challenging for the LGBTQ community in Nigeria.
