Stephen Uneze has been declared wanted by the Nigeria Police Force over alleged homosexuality.
Uneze, who hails from Umunneoha in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, was allegedly involved in homosexual activities in Abia State where he was residing and doing business.
On April 14, 2023 at Cherry Blooms Guest House in Eziama Uratta, he was reportedly caught by an angry mob with Chijioke Okonkwo, after a tipoff by a lady named Ifeoma Anyawu, who told some youths about seeing both of them entering the guest house in a suspicious manner.
They were beaten blue and black by the youths and Okonkwo sustained severe injuries, while Uneze managed to escape from the scene.
Meanwhile, while the incident was going on the police came in, took Okonkwo and detained him at the police station for further investigation and prosecution.
Homosexuality is prohibited in Nigeria under the Criminal Code, Section 214 subsection 1 & 3 as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The law upholds the prosecution of “any person who has canal knowledge of another person against the law of nature” with Subsection 3 expressly stating that “any male or female person who permits a male or female person to have canal knowledge of him or her against the law of nature is guilty of felony and is liable to imprisonment for 14 years or would likely be sentenced to death.”
Uneze allegedly escaped after which youths from the community set his house in Immaculate Road, Aba, on fire and burned his Honda car.
Uneze, who has been on the run since then, is rumoured to be hiding outside the country.
The police in Eziama therefore announced a handsome reward for any person with useful information that could lead to his arrest.
