The Muslim News

Nigeria has banned same-sex marriages after Justice Minister Bayo Ojo called them ‘unnatural and un-African’.

Recent legislation in countries like the UK and South Africa, allows gay and lesbian couples to have civil unions and gay weddings.

Even though homosexuality is already illegal in Nigeria and in the north can be punishable by stoning the guilty party to death, a further bill was deemed necessary following developments abroad. Gay unions in Nigeria are now punishable by five years imprisonment without the option of a fine. Minister Ojo added that people who support or aid these gay unions could be liable for the same punishment. Furthermore, pro-gay protests and public displays of homosexuality have all been made punishable offences.

President Olusegun Obasanjo is a firm supporter of Archbishop Peter Akinola, the head of Nigeria's Anglican Church, which is strongly opposed to same-sex marriages and the inclusion of gay priests into the Church worldwide.

When presenting the Bill, Minister Ojo said that the Bible and the Koran prohibit gay unions.

Nigeria First, the website of the Office of Public Communications, State House and Government of Nigeria, reported that President Obasanjo was concerned that the corrupting influence of gay rights campaigners in nearby South Africa might reach Nigeria. As a reaction to this, he has insisted on bringing the Bill to parliament and enforcing it straight away.

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