41 gay men have been arrested in Lagos on grounds of homosexuality which is still a criminal offense in Nigeria

The punishment for homosexuality in Nigeria can range from a 14-year jail term to stoning in some parts of the North

When the Senate rejected the passage of gay/lesbian rights and attached a 14-year prison sentence as penalty for offenders, they were not joking.

These 41 gay men who were arrested over the weekend for homosexuality at a hotel in Lagos will see for themselves if they are found guilty by a court.

Policemen from the Owode Onirin Division swooped on the suspects at the Vincent Hotel where they were around 3.30 pm, an eye witness said. There had been reports that the hotel was being frequented by gay men.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Olarinde Famous-Cole, confirmed the arrest.

The suspects are said to currently be in custody of the Lagos Task Force and will be charged to court soon.

South Africa remains the only African country where homosexuality is legal and is not prosecuted.

Despite the law, Nigerians seem to be more receptive to the idea of homosexuality and are less frigid and hushed about it.

NOIPolls in May showed a majority of adult Nigerians (87 per cent) remained in support of the law. However, this figure was down by 5-points from the 2013 survey where 92 per cent showed support for the bill.

This might continue to decline as years go by and we gradually progress into a world where freedom is fast becoming a constricting box.

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