Same intercourse marriage: Reps prescribe 14 years jail term

[PeoplesDaily]

By Umar Muhammad Puma

The House of Representatives yesterday passed the Bill for an Act to prohibit Marriage or Civil union entered between persons of same intercourse, solemnization of same intercourse and other matters related therewith, prescribing 14 years jail term for violators.

The Bill which came for consideration in November, 2012 has seven parts and was moved for adoption by the Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, for consideration by a committee of the whole House.

Under the Bill, marriage contract or civil union entered into between persons of same gender is prohibited.

"Such union shall not be entitled to the benefits of a valid marriage as it is considered invalid.

Also under the Bill, a marriage certificate issued by a foreign country shall be void in Nigeria and cannot be enforced by any court of law in the country.

The marriage is also forbidden under the law to be solemnized in any place of worship which shall include church or mosque or any other place in the country and any marriage certificate issued to parties of same intercourse marriage or civil union in the country shall not be considered as valid.

To cement the norm of what can be referred to as a normal marriage, the House passed the Bill that only marriages contracted between a man and a woman under Islamic law, customary law and marriage Act is recognized in the country henceforth.

On the registration of homointercourseual clubs and societies, the House banned them while also forbidding gays from processions and meetings in the country.

This includes forbidding show of same intercourse amorous relationship directly or indirectly.

Punishments for offences under the Act include a 14 years jail term for offenders, while those who register gay clubs, societies and organizations shall be liable to a jail term of not less than 10 years and those who administer, witness, screen same intercourse marriages in the country are guilty and liable on conviction to a jail term of 10 years.

The Act gives the right to entertain matters arising from the breach of the provisions of the Act on the High Court of a state or of the Federal Capital Territory.

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