Nigeria’s president Goodluck Jonathan (picture) quietly signed into law last week a bill, adopted by his parliament a year ago, recommending prison sentences of up to 10 years for anyone who participates in gay clubs or organisations, and 14 years in prison for same-sex couples.

Forthwith, the police in Nigeria’s northern state of Bauchi arrested and tortured several young people accused of having received 20 million dollars from the U.S. government to promote gay marriage in the country. Some of the suspects revealed the name of their partners under torture, and had had their cell phones searched. As a result, the police currently detains 38 men and is looking for 168 more.

The state of Bauchi applies Sharia law.

Nigeria is the second African country to ban love and sex between men. In Uganda, repeat offenders of homosexual acts are liable to life imprisonment. However, the law has still to be signed by the president, Mr. Yoweri Museveni.

Translation
Alizée Ville