53 Arraigned for Allegedly Attending Gay Wedding in Zaria

Kaduna police has arrested and arraigned 53 persons before a Magistrate Court on Wednesday in Chediya, Zaria for allegedly attending a gay wedding.

The prosecutor, Mannir Nasir, alleged that the accused were arrested on April 15 at Zaria Motel. He added that they were charged with conspiracy, unlawful assembly and belonging to a gang of unlawful society which contravened Sections 97, 100 and 197(a) of Criminal Procedure Code [CPC].

“On April 15, 2017 at about 21:00 hours a team of policemen led by DSP Muhammad Lawal-Mashi arrested and brought to police station 53 persons. The arrested persons included; Jibril Abdullahi, Sagir Abubakar, Anas Mohammed, Mustapha Ababukar, Musa Ibrahim and Suleiman Usman among others, all of various addresses. Information reached the police that these group of persons conspired to celebrate a gay marriage at Zaria Motel between one Faruk and Sanusi both at large,” Nasir said.

Counsel to the accused persons, Yunusa Umar, asked the court to release them on bail in line with sections 35 (4) and 36 (5) of the constitution after pleading not guilty to the charges. He claimed that most of the accused were students in their tender age and had been detained in police custody for more than 24 hours which is contrary to the provisions of the constitution.

The Chief Magistrate, Auwal Musa-Aliyu, however, granted them bail in the sum of N1,200 each, with one surety each in the like sum, who must be a blood relation to the accused. He ordered that each surety must present two passport size photographs, valid identity card, bank account number, letter of credence from a traditional ruler, utility bill and a valid GSM number.

The case has been adjourned to May 8 for further hearing.