BY CHRIS OGBOKE
BENIN CITY : Two men alleged to be engaged in sodomy have narrowly escaped being lynched by an angry mob recently.
The suspects, Julius Odiase (32) and Daniel Osa (24), were said to have been caught in the act in the latter’s house on Nomayo Street, Upper Sakponba, in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State on June 19,2015.
The incident caused a stir in the area as angry residents and curious passersby thronged the scene to catch a glimpse of the two homo suspects.
Both suspects were allegedly jeered at and beaten relentlessly before being dragged out of the room naked.
As the news of the abominable act spread in the area, a crowd of angry mob surrounded the two suspects, ready to deliver instant judgement on them.
The gay suspects were however saved from imminent death when a man suddenly appeared on the scene and introduced himself as the leader of a Vigilante Team . He appealed to the mob to allow him take both suspects to the police for probable prosecution.
The Odionwere ( Clan Head) of Nomayo street and some youths in the area were however perplexed and angry when they later learnt that the two suspects had escaped while being taken to the police station.
The Clan Head, Pa ThankGod Ewere told our reporter that by indulging in homosexuality,the two suspects had defiled the land and must in accordance with the dictates of tradition, present themselves for traditional cleansing.
” Homosexuality is an abomination in our community, and anyone who commits this abominable act must of necessity , appease the gods of the land”, Pa Ewere stated in angry tone while speaking with our reporter.
Our reporter gathered that the process of traditional cleansing would involve the culprit or culprits being paraded nude on the streets and stoned by the people.
” It’s a painful and embarrassing experience which no man would wilfully submit himself to”, a resident in the area who chose not to be named told our reporter.
Meanwhile, following a complaint lodged by the Odionwere and Elders of the community, the police in Idogbo, the administrative headquarters of Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, have declared the two gay suspects, Julius Odiase and his partner, Daniel Osa wanted for committing act of sodomy.
Both suspects stand the risk of spending fourteen years in prison if found guilty by the law court.
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 ranging from simple traditional cleansing rituals to outright death by public mob.
