The failure of a lead witness to appear has stalled the trial of 47 men charged with homosexuality before a Federal High Court in Lagos State.
The suspects were arrested by the police in August 2017 police following a raid on a hotel and paraded on the allegations that they were being initiated as gays. The defendants however denied the charge, insisting that they were attending a birthday party.
Justice Rilwan Aikawa granted the prosecutors’ plea for adjournment to March 3, and warned against further delay as the case had earlier been shifted twice due to failure by the prosecutors to produce witnesses.
The Prosecutor Joseph Eboseremen had told the court that the lead witness could not appear on Wednesday because he did not receive the court’s summons on time.
The 47 men face a 10-year jail term if convicted.
