Nigerian 14-Year Jail Terms for Same-Sex Marriages Pass in House

Nigeria’s House of Representatives passed a bill that makes same-sex unions a criminal offense punishable by as many as 14 years in prison.


The bill sets 14-year jail terms for people who enter into same-sex marriages or civil unions and 10 years for those who witness, aid or abet such unions as well as those who operate gay clubs and societies, Victor Ogene, a lower-house spokesman, said by phone from the capital, Abuja.

Same-sex public displays of affection would be punishable by as many as 10 years behind bars. The Senate passed a similar bill in November 2011.

“It’s been synchronized with the Senate’s position,” Ogene said. “It goes to the president to be signed. Within a week they should put the papers together.”