BENIN CITY – The clan head of Siloko Community, Pa Alfred Imade and the council of Elders have accused one Augustine Ojie, proprietor of Night Club on Ihama Road, Benin City of committing sodomy.
The community Elders alleged that the culprit was caught in the act with a 21-year-old male in his residence at 17, Siloko Road on the 14th day of April, 2011.
They said the culprit, Augustine Ojie by indulging in homosexuality, had defiled their land and must therefore present himself for traditional cleansing to appease the community deities.
“The gods are angry because homosexuality is an abomination in this community. No man who commits sodomy is allowed to go free in this place. We will make sure that the culprit pays dearly for this act of sacrilege”, an elder of the community, Pa Johnson Idemudia told our correspondent.
Our reporter gathered that the process of traditional cleansing would involve the culprit walking nude on the street while being stoned by the people.
“It is a painful and embarrassing experience , one which no one would willfully submit himself to”, a youth in the community who chose not to be named told our reporter on a fact finding visit to the area.
Meanwhile, following complaint lodged by the community recently, the Police in Benin City have declared Augustine Ojie wanted for committing act of homosexuality.
Nigeria’s immediate past President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan had in January 2014, signed the same sex prohibition and other related offences Act into law.
The law provides for 14 years imprisonment for anyone found guilty of sodomy while the tradition and custom of most Nigerian communities demand stiffer penalties and in some cases, outright killing by public mob.
