2 men charged with sodomy in Lagos

Two men — Promise Oluwabunkenoye, 24, and Kehinde Abiola, 29, — yesterday appeared before a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos over a twocount charge of same-sex intercourse and fighting in the public.

The duo, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Anthonia Osayande, told the court that the accused with others still at large committed the offences at a hotel in Ijeshatedo, Surulere about 3.00.p.m. on June 1.

Osayande said the accused were caught by a police patrol team fighting publicly over non-payment of money for sexual acts.

She alleged that while the police interrogated them, one of the accused confessed that he was invited to a hotel at Ejigbo on May 28 at 5.00 a.m. for anal sex.

“He promised to pay some money if he consented to the act, but the accused refused to pay after enjoying himself.”’

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Ipaye Nwachukwu, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N100,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

She ordered that the accused should submit their passportsize photographs to the court registrar.

Nwachukwu said one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the accused, while the other must be a cleric or a community leader.

In addition, the sureties should provide evidence of tax payment to the government.

She adjourned the case until Aug. 3 for mention. (NAN)