Sixty-nine LGBT suspects who were detained on August 27 during a gay wedding ceremony in Ekpan Community, Uvwie Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta, have been released on bond.
In Warri on Tuesday, the suspects’ attorney, Mr. Ochuko Ohimor, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that they had been granted bail for N500,000 and two sureties apiece.
The sureties must reside within the Effurun jurisdiction of the Court, claims Ohimor.’
The accused, who were previously arraigned on September 4 at the State High Court of Justice, Effurun, in Uvwie LGA, must sign an undertaking there, he stated.
“The suspects received bail for N500,000 with two sureties for each. The sureties must live in the Effurun jurisdiction, according to Ohimor, who spoke to NAN.
Vincent Orarumen, the police prosecutor, had challenged the bail requirement, but their attorney contended that the suspected crime was not a capital offense.
NAN reports that on August 29 at the Ekpan Police Station, at the request of Mr. Wale Abass, the Delta State Commissioner of Police (CP), the accused were paraded before reporters.
A tough team of police operatives from the Ekpan Division detained them while they were holding a gay wedding ceremony that they dubbed a “all white party.”
The CP promised to punish the suspects in accordance with Nigeria’s Anti-Gay Law, which, in his opinion, forbids same-sex unions in the nation, as he paraded the suspects.
“I can assure you that they will face legal charges. We aren’t treating it casually. Although they are still assumed innocent unless proven guilty by the appropriate court, it is a clear case, he said.