The Bayelsa State Police Command has reportedly declared two men wanted in connection with an alleged same-sex relationship said to have taken place in the state, an offence prohibited under Nigeria’s Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2014.
The individual identified as Michael Ani Amangala and his associate, are being sought by security operatives following an incident alleged to have occurred between the 28th of August to 15th of September 2023 at a hotel known as Gilly Helina in Bayelsa State.
According to sources familiar with the matter, police operatives acting on intelligence reportedly investigated the hotel in January of 2024 and found in the hotel records that the two men did in fact book a room in said hotel, and were able to obtain the name “Michael Ani Amangala”.
The Police Command is said to have called on members of the public to provide useful information that could assist in locating the two men. Residents with relevant information have reportedly been advised to contact the nearest police station or other security agencies.
Sources alleged that the pair had been involved in a same-sex relationship prior to the police operation. However, these allegations have not been independently verified, and no court has made any findings regarding the claims.
There are also unconfirmed reports that the two men may have left Nigeria following the incident to avoid possible prosecution. Efforts to independently verify the claims were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
The case has renewed attention on Nigeria’s Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, which was signed into law in January 2014. The legislation prohibits same-sex marriages and civil unions and criminalizes the operation of gay clubs, societies, and organizations, as well as public displays of same-sex relationships.
Under the law, any person who enters into a same-sex marriage or civil union is liable upon conviction to a prison term of up to 14 years. The Act also prescribes a maximum jail term of 10 years for individuals who operate, participate in, or support organizations that promote same-sex relationships, as well as those who publicly display same-sex amorous relationships.
Legal practitioners, however, note that all suspects are entitled to due process under the law and remain innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
As of press time, the Bayelsa State Police Command had not released further details regarding the investigation, while efforts to establish the whereabouts of the two wanted persons were ongoing.
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