Nigeria has pased tough new anti-gay laws including outlawing gay marriage, public displays of same-sex relationships and belonging to gay groups.
According to Aljazeera, Reuben Abatim, President Goodluck Jonathan’s spokesman, said that the president signed the bill because it was consistent with the attitudes of most people toward homosexuality in the West African nation.
“I can confirm that the president has signed the bill into law,” Abati said. “More than 90 percent of Nigerians are opposed to same-sex marriage. So, the law is in line with our cultural and religious beliefs as a people,” he added.
“And I think that this law is made for a people and what [the] government has done is consistent with the preference of its environment.”
Under the terms of the law, anyone who enters into a same-sex marriage or civil union can be sentenced to 14 years in prison while any such partnerships entered into abroad are deemed “void”.
It also warns that anyone who registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies and organisations or who directly or indirectly makes a public show of a same-sex relationship will break the law. Punishment is up to 10 years in prison, it adds.
