Such provisions build on existing legislation in Nigeria, but go much further: while the colonial-era criminal and penal codes outlawed sexual acts between members of the same sex, the SSMPA effectively criminalizes lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Punishments are severe, ranging from 10 to 14 years in prison.
The law forbids any cohabitation between same-sex sexual partners and bans any “public show of same sex amorous relationship.” The SSMPA imposes a 10-year prison sentence on anyone who “registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies and organization” or “supports” the activities of such organizations. The notional purpose of the SSMPA is to prohibit marriage between persons of the same sex. On January 7, 2014, Nigeria’s former president, Goodluck Jonathan, signed the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill (SSMPA) into law. Executive Director of a Minna, Niger State NGO, October 2015 Vigilante groups have added homosexuality to their “terms of reference.” These groups are organized by community members, given authorization by the community to maintain some sort of order and “security.” Executive Director of an Abuja NGO, October 2015 They torture, force people to confess, and when they hear about a gathering of men, they just head over to make arrests. Basically, because of this law the police treat people in any way that they please.
