BY GBENGA OLARINOYE
OSOGBO — Two persons suspected to be homosexuals, have been arraigned before an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court, OsunState for allegedly copulating inside the Peace of Jesus Apostolic Church located at Asubiaro area in Osogbo.

According to the Police Prosecutor, Inspector Solomon Oladele, the suspects, a 19-year-old Samuel Friday and Oni Oluwatobi, aged 18 were said to have committed the act sometime in May, 2013 at 2a.m., in the church.

The charge preferred against the accused read: “That you Samuel Friday and Oni Oluwatobi sometime in May, 2013 at 2a.m. at Peace of Jesus Apostolic Church, Asubiaro, Osogbo did conspire together to commit felony, to wit indecent sexual practice between yourselves.”

Oladele informed the court that the two suspects conducted themselves in a manner that was capable of causing breach of public peace and have desecrated the place of worship.

It was also gathered that Friday had sometime in May 2013 at Sadiat area, Ilesa Road in Osogbo at 4p.m., sexually assaulted a boy simply identified as Oladipupo Moruf by fondling his private part without the latter’s approval.

The second count of the charge read: “That you Samuel Friday, sometime, in May 2013 at Sadiat area, Ilesa Road in Osogbo at 4p.m., in the Osogbo Magisterial District did indecently seduce one Oladipupo Moruf by touching his private part.”

The prosecutor contended that the accused persons committed the offences contrary to and punishable under Sections 516, 249 (D), and Section 217 of the Criminal Code Cap 34, Vol. II, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2003.

When the four counts charge against them were read to them, they pleaded not guilty and their counsel, Mrs. Nnenna Ngwu, prayed the court to grant them bail, arguing  that they are presumed innocent until the contrary was proved by the prosecution.

Magistrate Olusola Aluko granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N100,000 each with two sureties in like sum.
- Vanguard