The Federal Government through the Nigeria Police Force has commenced the prosecution of a middle-aged man, Osakue Osemwendele for alleged homosexuality offence.
The Reliance investigation revealed that the accused person who is currently facing a two-court charge at the· High Court was arrested on October 10, 2013 for alleged Gay practice.
Mr. Osakue Osemwendele has been in police detention since his arrest in late 2013 before his arraignment in court recently.
Investigation revealed that the delay in charging the accused to court was as a result of the inability of the police to apprehend his lover, named as Abdulahi Adex who was said to be on the run for about four years running.
But the long period of incarceration of Mr. Osakue Osemwendele in both the police and court custodies as awaiting trial, has drawn the irk of his family members who are now asking for justice for their son.
An Uncle of Mr. Osakue Osemwendele, Pa. Joseph Osamwendele told The Reliance that his nephew (Osakue) has been facing a two-court charge of alleged homosexuality since 2013.
Speaking shortly after the hearing proceedings in the case between the Commissioner of Police versus Mr. Osakue Osernwendele and one other which came up last week at the High Court, the 83 years old Osemwendele expressed unhappiness that his nephew was not the only one facing trial for a crime allegedly committed by two men.
According to him, “I am very· sad that the police brought my nephew here to the court to face trial for alleged homosexuality. He has been detained in prison custody since October t 2013 ‘but his supposed lover is nowhere to be found.”
“The police said they are looking for his male lover who was named as Abdulahi Adex and that even though he (Abdulahi) was declared wanted, he was yet to be found. Our boy (Osakue) is just being kept in prison custody to be languishing indefinitely. We are so sad about it.”
“What we are now telling the court, the government and the police, is for them to free or grant my nephew (Osakue Osemwendele) bail pending the arrest of his alleged lover but the police are saying that my nephew is likely to jump bail if released.”
Also speaking, the police prosecutor, Inspector Johnson Mbangba said one of the two male lovers was arrested in October 10, 2013 while the second person is presently on the run.
“We are dealing with the case of Homosexuality here (in court). One of them; Osakue has been arrested and charged to the court by the police while his partner has been declared wanted by the police authorities because he went into hiding shortly after committing the criminal offence.”
“The non-arrest of Mr. Adex has slowed down the case because the defence counsel has told us that it takes two to tangle and without the run-away Gay man, to get conviction in court against Mr. Osakue will be very difficult.”
“The federal government is highly interested in this case and other related matters. Therefore, we must not fail because homosexuality is against our culture and the police have been given the marching order to ensure that it does not take roots in Nigeria.”
“This is the reason why the police state high command has intensified its search for the runaway Abdulahi Adex. We want him brought to the court to face justice for the crime he has committed.”
“The suspects committed the offence at Jettu Junction Street along NEPA office, Auchi, Edo State,” the police prosecutor added.
However, the presiding Judge, Justice Alele Momoh further adjourned the case to March 29, 2018, for the continuation of hearing while ordering the continued remand of the accused in prison custody and as well ordering the police to expedite action in arresting and producing Mr. Abdulahi Adex in court for the case to proceed expeditiously.
The practice of being gay is a criminal offence in Nigeria and offenders risk 14 years jail term without any option of fine.
About Author
