The Nigeria Police Force has declared a 43-year-old man, identified as Kazeem Iyiade Adekunle, wanted in connection with an investigation into an alleged same-sex relationship.
According to a police notice, Adekunle, who is reportedly from Ogun State, is being sought by the authorities to assist with an ongoing investigation concerning an alleged offence under Nigeria’s Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act 2013.
The police said attempts to apprehend the suspect have so far been unsuccessful after he allegedly left the scene when officers attempted to arrest him. The authorities subsequently sought his whereabouts and issued a public appeal for information that could assist in locating him.
The police also stated that a magistrate’s court in Ikeja, Lagos State, had issued a warrant for his arrest.
Adekunle is described in the police notice as a civil servant from Abeokuta, Ogun State. The notice states that he speaks English, Yoruba and Pidgin English.
The police appealed to members of the public with credible information about his whereabouts to contact the nearest police station or the investigating officer. It warned members of the public against attempting to apprehend or confront him themselves.
The declaration forms part of an ongoing investigation, and the allegations against Adekunle have not, in themselves, established his guilt. Any criminal liability would ultimately be determined through the appropriate judicial process.
Nigeria’s Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act 2013 prohibits same-sex marriage and certain related conduct. The legislation provides criminal penalties for specified offences under the Act.
The police urged anyone with relevant information to assist law enforcement authorities in locating the wanted man.
