An Abuja Federal High Court has been asked to stop the Federal Government from enforcing the ban on same-sex marriage and relationships in the country.
The Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2013, which criminalised the practice, was recently signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan.
The development drew the ire of the international community, with the United Kingdom, the United States and several other countries condemning the law while asking the Federal Government to reverse it.
The United Nations also frowned at the law, and in a recent visit to Nigeria, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Navi Pillay, spoke against the anti-gay law and tried to get the Federal Government to reconsider it.
The Federal Government had stood its ground, insisting that there was no going back on the law.
But a Nigerian citizen, Mr. Teriah Joseph Ebah, who described himself as “a happily married man with a son,” has dragged the Federal Government to court to challenge the law.
In the suit with number FHC/ABJ/CS/197/2014, the plaintiff, through his lawyer, Mike Enahoro Ebah, asked the court to declare that the provisions of the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2013, particularly sections 1 (1) (a) (b), 2 (1) (2) and 3 violated the fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens as enshrined and protected in section 42 (1) (a) (b) and 2 of the 1999 Constitution, as well as articles of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Asking the court to declare the anti-gay law as unconstitutional, null and void, the plaintiff equally asked the court to make an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Federal Government “from further enforcing the provisions of the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2013, particularly sections 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the said Act.”
The court was asked to determine whether the law did not violate and contravene the fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens, and also, whether it was not an impediment to the freedom provided for Nigerians in the 1999 Constitution, and therefore inconsistent with the intentions of the Constitution.
In an affidavit in support of the originating summons, the plaintiff, Teriah Joseph Ebah, gave his address as House 48, 24 Crescent, Off 2nd Avenue, Gwarimpa, Abuja, and No. 74 Stockport Street, Derby, DE22, 3WP, United Kingdom.
He explained that he holds a BA degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Derby, UK, as well as a Masters degree in Strategic Financial Management from the same institution, and is also a registered member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accounting of Britain.
Ebah further explained that he is currently working with the Department for Works and Pension under the employment of the British Government.
According to him, his close relationship with Nigerians at home and in the UK had given him an insight into the worrisome plight and predicament the anti-gay law “has brought to bear on these citizens.”
He noted that while while there is no law that stops a citizen of Nigeria from registering an association to protect the interests of animals in the country, the anti-gay law prohibits the registration of a union to fight for the rights of Nigerians who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender.
Ebah informed the court that he was aware of the fact that, since the signing of the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2014, about 32 persons have been arrested in different parts of the country on the basis of their sexual orientation.
He described the arrest and prosecution of the suspected gays as genetic genocide. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
is the man a guy?
ReplyDeletewhat is this man issue .. we don't want . leave Fg alone... go back to your uk and go and do ur choice.
ReplyDeletePromotion of ABOMINATION – HOMOSEXUALITY
ReplyDeleteI wish to invite Mr. Teriah Joseph Ebah and his cronies to read this brief write-up. It will open his eyes to the fact he is not fighting the Federal Government of Nigeria but against his Creator and Maker. He is rather fighting for his father, the devil and the father of falsehood – whom he has allowed to blind-fold his eyes.
Homosexuality refers to romantic attraction, sexual attraction or sexual behaviour between members of the same sex or gender.
The word of God condemns this behavior and it attracts death penalty.
“Homosexuality is absolutely forbidden, for it is an enormous sin”
“The penalty for homosexual acts is death to both parties”
(Leviticus 18:22; 20:13)
The fact that the word of God addresses this issue in the first Book of the Bible means the practice dates back to the early days of man’s existence. Satan had devised means of adulterating all of God’s institution, especially marriage. He makes man believe that his introduction stands out best. And man in his depravity buys into Satan’s ways.
“… as they were preparing to retire for the night, the men of the city –
yes, Sodomites, young and old from all over the city –
surrounded the house and shouted to Lot, ‘Bring out those men to us
so we can rape them.’” (Genesis 19:4-5).
These men of Sodom – homosexuals – rejected Lot’s offer of his two virgin daughters (verses 6-9).
At this juncture, it’s important that we remind ourselves that the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed for this abominable behavior (cp Genesis 18:20-22) and in fact, the name/description of this behaviour in our modern-day – “sodomy” was derived from this context. Abraham’s intercession for these cities from 50 – 5 righteous persons couldn’t save them, i.e. the angels of God couldn’t find 5 righteous persons in these cities. Again, God hasn’t changed.
These things are so and much more pronounced in our day because as one of the signs of Jesus’ coming, the day is drawing nearer faster than we think. Jesus said as touching those times:
“Sin will be rampant everywhere ….” (Matthew 24:12).
There is still hope for the morally bankrupt. God is still interested in saving such persons, including the homosexuals. Jesus died for everyone.
“Come, let’s talk this over, says the Lord; no matter how deep
the stain of your sins, I can take it out and make you as clean
as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red as crimson,
I can make you white as wool” (Isaiah 1:18).
“Christ … died once for the sins of all us guilty sinners although
He Himself was innocent of any sin at any time that He might
bring us safely home to God.” (1Peter 3:18).
All you need do is to come to Him, just as you are, confessing all your abominable acts to God Who in His mercy will forgive you as He said in the verse above – Isaiah 1:18. But be reminded that if you refuse and continue, the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah awaits you – eternal destruction.
“… the wages of sin is death …” (Romans 6:23a).
May the Lord set you totally free from the grip and power of homosexuality as you honestly and obediently surrender to Him today.
God bless you.
NB:
All Scripture portions are taken from The Living Bible.
Thanks @7:51pm May God change his heart
DeleteYou need to come under Grace as the law of moses does not and cannot save. Under Grace Jesus paid the death penalty price for the community to be who we are and to make it in into Heaven. Colossians 2:14 states this the handwriting of ordinances that was against us and contrary to us ( laws like Leviticus etc) Jesus blotted it and nailed it to His Cross. He abolished the law and established Grace for us Hebrews 10:9. with the law of Moses shall no man be saved. My dear it would be better for you to come under Grace so you are saved. True.
DeleteThat man should be arrested and dealt with.
ReplyDeletei think this man should be arrested for promoting same sex. Imagine someone protesting what has been signed into law.
ReplyDeleteu ppl are stil makin him porpular by makin comments,dont u ppl knw y he did it,bcos he want 2 b porpula.
ReplyDeletemr joseph is a gay. Dat's all.
ReplyDeleteI don't think mr joseph is mentally in order. Married with a child doesn't stop him from being a homosexual. I know many married with children who are homosexuals. It's not a new thing. I strongly believe that this mr joseph is a gay. Why should he spend so much money for what he knows is against the law of God about procreation if he's not a gay?
ReplyDeleteWe are not under the Law but under Grace..some people just dont know when they are being delivered..Do you people dont know that Christians that go back under the Law cannot be saved.?
ReplyDeleteDoes Grace give you the license to make void the word of God? You need to read and understand the Bible. (Romans 6:1-2)
DeleteFirst of all they should withdrew his CAC license from him. This guy is a gay no matter even if is married, one of my relative husband is a gay yet is married, it was later the whole picture come to light therefore, they should not mind this idiot is a bloody gay to the call
ReplyDeleteIt is a welcome development to test the constitutionality of the law, as it applies to any other law passed by the Nigerian Government. If the courts validate it, all well and good, if they reject it, then it means legally it breaches the rights of citizens. Nailing this man on the cross does not bring light into your homes or give the youths of this country jobs. What is wrong with Nigerians sef? una dey think? Politicians dey use una play ball una sef dey mumu follow. That's why they'll continue to devalue education and keep y'all the masses ignorant, bickering about homosexuality. Look, the law is for the masses and political opponents not for the power brokers who can get away with anything. And because the law is popular, they have succeeded in veering people's minds from pressing issues and score cheap political points. Pls, if you're not well-informed, refrain from commenting and quit making a fool outta yourselves.
ReplyDelete