AFUZE – The search for a man who was declared wanted in Afuze, Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State has intensified following his failure to voluntarily submit himself for traditional cleansing.
Mr. Okpolya Emamyrho was allegedly caught committing sodomy with a 21-year-old man on March 15, 2015, and was immediately handed over to the vigilante group in the community.
The cultprit was also alleged to have committed similar act in the past in Oleh and Benin City before relocating to Afuze.
He was however said to have escaped from the custody of the local vigilante following intense pressure on him to perform some form of traditional cleansing demanded by custom.
But aside the traditional cleansing, Mr. Okpolya Emamyrho faces possible prosecution because of Nigeria’s anti-same sex law which makes sodomy a jailable offence.
Mr. Okpolya Emamyrho had reportedly gone into hiding as the traditional cleansing to be performed in the public would have exposed him to the police authority for arrest and possible prosecution.
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 provide for even stiffer penalties and in some cases, outright killing by public mob.
