By Ifeanyi Agumna, Truth Live News Correspondent, Umuahia
Dateline: July 12, 2019
According to a Certified True Copy of the judgment sighted by Truth Live News, dated July 11, 2019, in Suit No. MOS/123C/2019 between the Commissioner of Police, Abia State, as Prosecutor, and Ms Ebere Nwogu, as Defendant and Accused, a Magistrate Court sitting in Osisioma Local Government Area, Abia State, has convicted and sentenced Ms Nwogu to four years imprisonment for allegedly cohabiting with a same sex partner.
The case was presided over by Magistrate Ezekiel Nwankwo, who found the accused guilty of same sex cohabitation under Section 5(2) of the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act of 2013, resisting arrest under Section 126 of the Criminal Code, and failure to appear in court as stipulated in Section 131 of Abia State’s Criminal Justice Law. Despite her absence at the time of the ruling, the court relied on witness testimonies from neighbours and vigilante members, alongside photographic evidence, to reach its verdict. The judgment imposed four years imprisonment for same sex cohabitation, six months concurrent imprisonment for resisting arrest, and a fine of fifty thousand naira or an additional three months imprisonment for failure to appear before the court.
Unconfirmed reports received by Truth Live News suggest that Ms Nwogu and her partner, Ms Jessica, whose surname was withheld, narrowly escaped a mob attack allegedly orchestrated by local vigilante members. It was further alleged that Ms Nwogu fled Abia State in a near-death condition, while authorities have yet to comment publicly on the incident.
The conviction has provoked outrage from human rights advocates and international organisations who describe the case as another manifestation of institutionalised discrimination and violence against the LGBTQ+ community in Nigeria. The Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act, which criminalises same sex relationships with penalties of up to fourteen years imprisonment, has long been condemned by global human rights institutions as a legislative weapon used to legitimise persecution and mob brutality.
A post shared by the human rights advocacy platform, The Ambassador Herald, described the ruling as deeply troubling. “The sentencing of Ebere Nwogu underscores the deadly intersection of discriminatory laws and mob justice. Nigeria must repeal the SSMPA and protect its citizens,” the statement read.
Repeated efforts by Truth Live News to obtain official comment from the Abia State Police Command were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, human rights defenders and LGBTQ+ support networks allege that Ms Nwogu has gone into hiding, fearing further persecution and possible arrest.
The case has once again thrown a harsh spotlight on the growing tension between state law and fundamental freedoms in Nigeria, drawing renewed attention to the intersection of justice, morality, and the dignity of the human person.
Truth Live News will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information emerges.