17th February, 2014
Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta
Chief Magistrate Anthony Araba of the Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court I, Isabo, Abeokuta, southwest Nigeria, on Monday remanded a 64-year-old man, Oluwasegun Adesina-Rasheed and two others, Samad Ojo, 20, and Ope Abeeb, 18, over alleged homosexuality.
The three accused persons were remanded at the Ibara Prison, Abeokuta till the next adjournment date. They are facing a four-count charge of homosexuality, which they all pleaded not guilty of.
While Adesina-Rasheed resides at 1, Adenekan Street, Elite Road, Idi Aba, Abeokuta, Samad Ojo and Ope Abeeb are of no fixed address.
The charge sheet as obtained by our correspondent revealed that they conspired to commit felony to wit: homosexuality and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.
The police prosecutor further stated in the charge sheet that “the trio did engage in male to male sexual intercourse and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 214(3) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.
“That the trio did engage in indecent practices inside your car- Honda CRV with registration number AP 824 SGM, red colour, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 217 of the Criminal code, Laws of Ogun State, 2006.”
Briefing the court Monday, the police prosecutor, Inspector Banji Sangotokun said the offence was committed on Valentien’s Day, Friday, 14 February, 2014 at about 11:30 p.m. at Iwe-Iroyin area, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta.
Sangotonkun added that, the three men engaged in the indecent practice in the Honda CRV SUV of the first accused (Adesina-Rasheed).
He argued that the offence contravened Sections 516, 214 (3) and 217 of the Criminal Law of Ogun, 2006.
Counsel to the three accused person, Barrister Kehinde Amosa, applied for the bail of his clients, but the magistrate turned down the application.
Magistrate Araba, however, adjourned the case till 24 February, 2014 for consideration of the bail and ruled that the accused be remanded in prison custody.