The Nigeria Police had committed to stop the criminal participation of young men and women in same-sex practices in the country.
The police made this known on Tuesday, 18th February 2025, as they renewed their searchlight on one Temitope Felicia Afikuyomi, who was said to have been caught in a same-sex act and was arrested at a birthday party organised along with her other friends in a bar at Fagba, Iju Ishaga area of Lagos State, following a serious report in July 2021.
Temitope Afikuyomi was arrested for homosexuality following her interrogation and confession at the police station; however, it was reported that she had skipped bail, and as of the time this story was filed, the police had not been successful in their attempts to re-arrest her. Several invitations and warrants of arrest have been sent to her known address.
Her last known address was Omidiji Crescent, Iju Ishaga, Lagos State, as of 3rd March 2022.
Recall that on 7 January 2014, Nigerian former President Jonathan Goodluck signed his assent to the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2014 (SSMPA). Several elements of this legislation contravene Nigeria’s Constitution and binding international obligations, which guarantee fundamental rights to dignity, equality, non-discrimination, privacy, freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention, and freedom of expression and association.
Under pre-existing law, Nigeria already criminalises consensual same-sex sexual activity in private, which attracts a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment in addition to violating several fundamental human rights. The criminalisation of homosexuality has been recognised by experts as seriously impeding public health outcomes, in particular the prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS. Such laws hinder the effectiveness of strategies and measures designed to contain the HIV epidemic.
