BY WILFRED EDEM

IDOGBO: The people of Oka community in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo state have hailed a court verdict which sentenced a 21 -year-old man, Wisdom Uda to 14 years in prison for homosexuality.
The convict and his partner identified as Okoro Osazee(20) now at large, were alleged to have committed the act on May 10, 2016 .

The prosecution witness, Samuel Kelvin told the court that both men were caught in the act at about 12 noon behind his house on the fateful day.

He further told the court that several persons were attracted to the scene after he raised an alarm.

Another witness, Philip Akiki who corroborated the testimony of the first witness, said he and others were attracted to the scene following the unsual shout by Samuel Kelvin.

He said both suspects were immediately apprehended, adding that while they were being taken to the home of the Community leader, the second suspect, Okoro Osazee escaped into a nearby bush.

The trial Magistrate, Justice Efe Okundia said homosexuality was not only a taboo strongly detested in African culture and societies, it is also a crime punishable under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He added that the prosecution having established a case of prima facie against the accused, the court has no option but to apply the rule of the law to serve as deterrent to others.
Justice Okundia therefore sentenced the accused to a maximum 14 years imprisonment as prescribed by the law.

The defense counsel, Robert Awuzia, Esq, who had earlier pleaded with the court to tamper justice with mercy, expressed shock at the verdict of the court.

“We are appalled at the decision of the court in the case. We therefore intend to appeal against the verdict”, he told judicial correspondents.

The court verdict was however greeted with ovation and Celebration in Oka community.

An elder in the Community, Mr Goodwin Agbonlahor applauded the court verdict.

“We are happy that Justice has been served in this case. Homosexuality is an abomination in our community, and anyone who commits this abominable act deserves to die” ,he stated.

” We are looking forward to seeing the second suspect ,Okoro Osazee arrested and similarly prosecuted. Both men by their action, had defiled our land and we expect that in the future, they would be brought to appease the gods of the land”, Mr Agbonlahor further stated.

Meanwhile, the police in Benin City have declared the second accused person, Okoro Osazee wanted for sodomy.

A police statement in Benin City urged any member of the public with useful information that might lead to the arrest of the suspect to report to the nearest police station within or outside Edo state.

Osazee, like his partner, stands the risk of spending fourteen years in prison, if eventually apprehended and arraigned before the court.

Our correspondent reports that cases of indecent sexual behaviours, notably, homosexuality, lesbianism and bi- sexuality have been on the increase across Nigeria.
Majority of those caught in the act have either been tried and sentenced by the courts or banished from their communities.