Sixty-nine individuals suspected of participating in a gay wedding ceremony on August 27 in Ekpan Community, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, have been released on bail.
Mr. Ochuko Ohimor, the counsel to the suspects, informed the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Warri on Tuesday that each of the suspects was granted bail with N500,000 and two sureties.
Ohimor also specified that the sureties must reside within the Effurun jurisdiction of the court.
Furthermore, the suspects were required to sign an undertaking at the State High Court of Justice in Effurun, Uvwie LGA, where they were initially arraigned on September 4.
“The bail was granted at a cost of N500,000 and two sureties each. The sureties must reside within the Effurun jurisdiction,” Ohimor stated.
The police prosecutor, Vincent Orarumen, opposed the bail condition, whereas the defense lawyer argued that the alleged crime was not a capital offense.
On August 29, the suspects were presented before the media at the Ekpan Police Station by the Delta State Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr. Wale Abass.
A special team of police operatives from the Ekpan Division apprehended the suspects during the so-called “all white party” gay wedding ceremony.
The CP, during the parade, pledged to prosecute the individuals in accordance with Nigeria’s Anti-Gay Law, which prohibits same-sex marriage in the country.
“I can assure you that they will be charged to court. We are taking this matter seriously. It is a clear case, although they are still presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court,” he stated. (NAN)