Nigeria: The trial against homosexuality is suspended due to fear of mass killing

French Translation of the Week

Two Islamic courts in the northern region of Nigeria had to adjourn the trials of ten men accused of being homosexual for fear that mobs would attack them, the authorities reported on Wednesday.

Deux tribunaux islamiques du nord du Nigeria ont dû ajourner les procès de dix hommes accusés d'homosexualité de crainte que des foules ne les attaquent, ont rapporté mercredi les autorités.

This article has been translated from French. Click here to read the original version on Jeune Afrique.

Last week already, an angry crowd gathered in front of the courthouse in Bauchi, in the Nigerian state of the same name, and violently attacked seven men convicted for breaking the Islamic law that forbids homosexuality by throwing stones at them.  The police had to throw teargas in the air to disperse the protestors who were promoting an expedited trial for the execution of the accused.

The seven defendants had to appear again on Tuesday, but the court could no longer function normally after the incident, explained state officer Unguwar Jaki.  "We cannot continue the trial with these major security gaps.  The court must suspend the trial while we conduct a reevaluation of the security measures in order to avoid a recurrence of such violence," he added.

Scenes from Stoning

A second trial in which three suspects had to be tried in another Islamic court in the same city of Bauchi also had to be adjourned.  "The trial was suspended due to the demonstrations of stoning outside the court.  We want to ensure that this violence does not repeat itself here," declared Judge Nuhu Mohammed Dumi.  The detention of the three men expired on Tuesday and will have to be extended, he said.  The judge justified their detention by explaining the risk that the suspects would encourage similar behavior if they were given freedom, adding that the date of the next trial would not become public in order to avoid new riots.

Suleiman Musa, the lawyer for the defendants, although less than enthusiastic about the continued detention of his clients, recognized that this was the best solution to guarantee their security.  "The families of the three defendants asked to pay bail for them, but I explained to them that they would run the risk of getting lynched by a mob if they leave prison.  They are taking the measures necessary to avoid danger," he commented.

Homosexuality, classified as "immoral behavior," is adamantly forbidden by Islamic law in several states in northern Nigeria where the majority is Muslim.  According to Sharia law, which is applied concurrently with the federal judicial system in these states, homosexual individuals deserve the pain of death by stoning.

In January, President Goodluck Jonathan set forth a law, largely supported by the Nigerian population, which strongly restricted the rights of homosexuals.  Adopted unanimously by the Parliament last May, violators are punished with 14 years in prison in the case of same-sex marriage and 10 years for people of the same sex who publicly display their relations.

Article translated by Allie Stauss, Staff Intern for the Africa Program at the Wilson Center.

Photo courtesy of Ludovic Bertron via Wikimedia Commons.