House passes anti-same-sex marriage Bill, proposes 14 year jail term for offenders

Sequel to the passage of a Bill against same-sex marriage in Nigeria by the House of Representatives, lesbians and homosexuals now risk 14 year jail term should the Senate also concur with the provisions of the new Bill.
The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, presided over the passage of the Bill titled “Same Marriage (Prohibition) Bill, 2013”.
Having considered the report on the Bill with a few amendments, the House states in Section 1(1): “Marriage Contract or civil union entered between persons of same gender is hereby prohibited in Nigeria.”
Section 1, sub-section 2 of the Bill states: “Marriage Contracts or civil union entered between persons of same gender are invalid and shall not be recognized as entitled to the benefits of a valid marriage.”
Also, Section 1(3) warns: “Marriage contract or civil union entered between persons of same gender by virtue a certificate issued by a foreign country shall be void in Nigeria, and any benefits accruing there from by virtue of the certificate shall not be enforced by any court of law in Nigeria.”
In addition, the Bill also seeks an outright ban of such unions in places of worship or any other place whatsoever.
It states in Section 2(1): “Marriage or civil union entered between persons of same Gender shall not be solemnized in any place of worship either Church or Mosque in Nigeria.”
It states further in Sub-section 2: “No marriage certificate issued to parties of same sex marriage or civil union in Nigeria shall be valid.”
In a definitive manner, the House in Section 3 seeks recognition only for “marriage contract between a man and woman either under Islamic Law, Customary Law and Marriage Act, which are the laws recognised in Nigeria.”
The proposed law also seeks to bar registration of gay clubs, societies and organisations, their sustenance, processions and meetings, and also “the public show of same sex amorous relationship directly or indirectly”.
Section 5 of the Bill proposes: “Persons entered into a same gender marriage or civil union contract commit an offence and are jointly liable on conviction to a term of 14 years imprisonment each.”
A section of the Bill states further: “Any person who registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies and organisations, or directly or indirectly make a public show of same sex amorous relationship commits an offence and shall each be liable on conviction to a term of 10 years imprisonment.”
It goes further to state: “Any person or group of persons that witnesses, abet, screens and aids the solemnization of a same sex marriage contract or civil union or supports the registration of gay clubs, societies and organisations, processions or meetings in Nigeria commits an offence and liable on conviction on conviction to a term of 10 years imprisonment.”
Commenting on the Bill, House spokesman, Zakari Mohammed, said the House has decided on the side of God and the people.
Mohammed said: “Even a whole generation was destroyed because of this.
“The developed economies can do whatever they want to do, but it is better to err on the side of God.
“We have culture and traditions and we cannot ignore that.
“As far as we are concerned, we have done what the people want by passing the Bill.”