11 MUSLIM GAY ON TRIAL IN BAUCHI STATE

11 Muslim men accused of being homosexuals has been put on trial in the Islamic court in violation of their religion in Bauchi State. The 12th person arrested is a Christian and he would be tried under secular law. Under the Islamic law, a person convicted of the crime of homosexual can be sentenced to death by stoning, and it is also illegal to have gay sex in Nigeria according to the secular laws.

Earlier this month, President Goodluck Jonathan signed a parliamentary bill which bans same-sex marriages, gay groups and showing of same sex public affection. The law applies to every citizen of Nigeria and across every states and cities of the country. In most predominantly northern states of the country, the Sharia law has been in place since the end of the military rule.