The tragedy that struck in Sapele, Delta State on January 15th, 2014 when irate mob of youths lynched a gay suspect for desecrating the ancestral laws of the land would forever change the dynamics and ways of life of the people in the community.
According to sources in the formerly serene and peaceful community, trouble started when a manager of a popular hotel (names withheld) alarmed the public that two young men who lodged in the hotel were caught in the act of anal sex.
The sacrilegious act in the community however attracted a mammoth crowd comprising of mainly angry youths who trooped to the hotel to catch a glimpse of the unfolding taboo.
According to information made available to the Nigerian Observer, the alleged suspects having confessed to the act, the enormity of the sacrilegious act committed, triggered the mob to angrily unleashed their wrath on them.
The plea for mercy by the two gay suspects identified as Onima James, 27, and Ogboli Henry, 29, however fell on deaf ears.
Ogboli Henry, it was learned, is an assistant pastor of the Glorious Church of Christ, Sapele Parish, Delta State while Onima James is an indigene of Sapele community.
Pastor Ogboli who hails from Aniocha South local government area of Delta State was said to have occupied one of the rooms in the hotel when he was caught with his gay lover in the evil act.
It was said that pastor Ogboli who was in a boxer-short appealed to the angry youths to have mercy on him as he pleaded with them to allow him put on his clothes in the hotel room before being taken away.
The Nigerian Observer was told that the pastor owing to his status as a man of God was obliged his request to put on his clothes but unknown to the youths that he already had his escape route well planned out leaving behind his gay lover, clothes, a pair of sandals and a waist bag containing telephone handset, some money and a Glorious church of Christ Sapele Parish Delta State identity card bearing the names and picture of the run-away assistant pastor.
Meanwhile, when it was obvious that the pastor escaped, the youths vented their anger on James by using plywood and stoning him with blocks while accusing the hotel management of complicity in promoting gay activities in the locality including the hotel security men whom were also not spared as they were violently attacked for not doing enough to secure the hotel premises which facilitated the escape of the fleeing pastor.
However, the arrival of a team of security operatives detailed to put the lawless situation under control was enough to send the aggressive youths who took to their heels abandoning behind the lifeless body of the already tortured James on the ground who was immediately rushed to the nearest medical facility where he was confirmed dead on arrival by a team of medical personnel.
An on the spot assessment visit by our correspondent to the hotel , scene of the sacrilegious act and the church (names withheld) respectively revealed visible evidence of vandalized building and properties of the hotel as vehicles parked in the hotel premises were also not spared.
The situation was not different at the church where the fleeing assistant pastor worships as findings revealed that the two gay suspects were regular customers at the hotel.
Speaking, a source who spoke on condition of anonymity said while it was a known fact that the two gay suspects were regular customers whose sacrilegious activities were until now unknown to anyone in the hotel, adding that there was no moral justifications for the wanton destruction of properties and cars at the hotel premises by the angry youths.
Responding on behalf of the church, a member who did not want his name mentioned in print said the church is yet to come to terms with the realities of what befell the church owing to the shameful and spiteful characters exemplified by the assistant pastor of the church which led to disruption of a 3-day church program.
He said intimidation of church members and wanton destruction of the church building including plastic chairs and electrical ceiling fans were carried out by the angry mob.
Another member, who spoke on behalf of the church as the general overseer declined comments, lamented the accompanying disgrace of the alleged crime committed by the assistant pastor who by his sacred position and calling was to fulfill the mandate of His Kingdom and not leading people astray, a situation he claimed has placed the church at a precariously disadvantaged position before the eyes of the public.
He however revealed that a meeting of the church pastors and elders held recently unanimously endorsed the excommunication of Pastor Henry Ogboli from the church owing to his alleged involvement in the practice of gay.
In the same vein, pastors of the church have condemned the sinful act of their colleague whom they described prior to the incident as a man of God with pure heart to serve God and humanities. They expressed shock at the level of his involvement as the personal effects and belongings he allegedly abandoned especially his telephone handset and church Identity card recovered from the scene of crime further gave credence to his complicity in the homosexual allegation.
However, it was a different scenario at the family house of the late James Onima as relatives and sympathizers who came to pay their condolence visits wept uncontrollably while others were seen gathered obviously discussing the gruesome killing of the young man.
Attempts by our correspondent to speak with the father of the deceased, Mr. Onima was unsuccessful as he was said to be on admission at an undisclosed hospital receiving medical treatment as a result of the shock over the gruesome murder of his son.
It was however revealed that the late James Onima never had any history of gay practice as relatives said that Pastor Henry lured and indoctrinated him into the sacrilegious act.
Also Speaking, a man who simply identified himself as Mr. Alex and a senior brother to the deceased threatened to avenge the death of his late brother stressing that the family cannot unilaterally suffer the loss.
A further trip to the ancestral family house of the fleeing pastor Henry Ogboli by our correspondent to find out the veracity of the claims of allegations against their son met a brick wall as the house was under lock and key, it was observed that the occupants of the house deserted the place for fear of any possible reprisal attack by the deceased family and the angry youths who had earlier threatened to raise down the ancestral family house of the fleeing pastor to serve as deterrent to others.
Efforts to get the views and comments of people in the neighborhood were however turned down due to the sensitive nature of the matter except for a retired civil servant and a resident of the community, Pa. Gabriel Omonigho who gave an insight into the unfortunate incident.
He said despite concerted efforts by government agencies, traditional institutions, religious bodies and Non Governmental organizations (NGO) to change the hearts and minds of the youths in ridding the entire Nigerian communities of the menace of homosexuality, many of them are still indulged and neck deep in the evil act.
He cited a case of two secondary school female students caught in the act of lesbianism and for the timely intervention of security officers on routine patrol saved the situation from degenerating into fatalities.
The 75-year old community elder highlighted the consequences and impacts on the people and the community at large if necessary steps and actions to cleanse the land and appease the gods are not taken seriously warning that it could lead to catastrophes such as sicknesses, untimely deaths amongst the youths, poor agricultural yields and famine including strange occurrences in the land.
He strongly condemned in its entirety the barbaric actions of the irate youths who took laws into their hands by lynching the young man to death without recourse to the rule of law, consent and approval of community elders. He then reminded them of the long existing traditional punitive measures put in place to checkmate violators of such offences which include mandatory ritual obligations and banishment from one’s community which has been operational for ages.
At the Divisional Police Command in-charge of the community and environs to ascertain the level of investigations into the incident, our correspondent was told that the D.P O was away on official assignments.
He however confirmed the unfortunate incident via a telephone interview put across to him, describing the death of the young man as a big loss to the family and the entire community.
He said the crime of gay practice is a gross violation of the Same-sex prohibition Act, punishable by law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He further said that the issue of gay and the actions of pastor Henry and his deceased lover revealed a rather disturbing and embarrassing display of indecent behavior culminating in the desecration of the community.
The Divisional police officer however assured the family of the deceased and the general public that those culpable will be brought to justice including the fleeing pastor whose personal items of telephone handset, church identity card and clothes were recovered at the scene of crime.
He urged the residents of the community to be peaceful and law abiding as plans has been concluded on ways to arrest the run-away pastor.
He commended the men and officers of the command for the successful arrest of some key suspects who masterminded the killing as they are currently helping the police in its investigations.
The police boss concluded by calling on the residents of the community to provide useful information that could lead to the where about and arrest of Pastor Henry Ogboli and others involved in the incident.
It remains to be seen if justice will be served in the interest of the family of late Onima James as the gay lover Pastor Henry Ogboli continues to run from the long arm of the law by evading arrest and prosecution.
The threat to life issued by Onima’s family, the community youths and the excommunication of the assistant pastor from his church are confirmations that the sins of Pastor Henry Ogboli would soon catch up with him whenever he is seen anywhere around the community.
