Same-Sex Marriage: Police intensify hunt for Osazuwa Osaro Solomon, Godwin Onodare
The Nigeria Police Force, Delta State Command, has intensified its search for two men, Osazuwa Osaro Solomon and Godwin Onodare, who have been declared wanted in connection with a botched same-sex wedding in Ekpan, Uvwie Local Government Area.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Bright Edafe, told reporters in Asaba that the two suspects were identified during investigations into the widely reported August 28, 2023 incident, when officers stormed a same-sex marriage ceremony around 2am and arrested dozens of participants.
According to police reports, the event initially saw more than 100 persons rounded up, before the number was scaled down to 67 after preliminary screening. Many of the suspects were accused of dressing in female attire, with some allegedly caught on video exchanging marital vows.
Edafe confirmed that homosexuality remains a serious criminal offence under Nigerian law, punishable by up to 14 years’ imprisonment for those convicted of same-sex unions, and up to 10 years for accomplices. He stressed that Osazuwa Osaro Solomon and Onodare were specifically mentioned by arrested suspects as principal actors in the aborted ceremony.
“These two individuals fled before our men could apprehend them, but we have credible confessions linking them to the alleged same-sex wedding. We will not relent until they are caught and brought before the law,” Edafe vowed.
The arrests have since drawn nationwide attention as one of the largest crackdowns under Nigeria’s Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, a controversial law that continues to generate heated debates at home and abroad. But for the police, the mission remains clear, to enforce the legislation and bring those involved, including Osazuwa Osaro Solomon and Onodare, to justice. Meanwhile his partner Eghemwanre obakpolor is also wanted by the police.
