Gay still crime in Cross River, says Speaker Ayambem

By Frank Ulom

The Cross River State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem has made its position known to gays, and hotels, clubs and organisations involved in, and hosting gay activities in the state.

Rt. Hon. Ayambem, 10th Speaker of the House in a press statement on Tuesday (July 4), said those involved should desist from the act or face the law.

The press release which was signed by Mr Matthew Okache,
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, said the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill signed by former President Goodluck on January 7, 2014, is still invoked in the state.

“It has come to the notice of the Hon. Speaker of the Cross River State House Of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, that on the 30th of June 2023, a certain hotel in Ekorinim in Calabar Municipality, hosted a gay party on their premises, where underage teenagers were also in attendance”, the press statement read in part.

It added that “Speaker Ayambem further wants to seize this occasion to warn anyone or any organisation in connection with such unlawful activities to desist from such acts or risk prosecution by the authorities”.

The statement said Honorable Speaker is already reaching out to security agencies in the State and relevant government MDAs (Ministries, Developments and Agencies) to ensure that organisers of that obscenity and their collaborators are brought to book as a deterrence.

In addition, Speaker Ayambem reminded hospitality operators in the State that, “no hotel or club should entertain anyone under 18 years of age at any time unless he/she is accompanied by their parents/and or guardians”.

The press statement quoted the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill to include a 14-year prison sentence on anyone who “(enters) into a same-sex marriage contract or civil union,” and a 10-year sentence on individuals or groups, including religious leaders, who “witness, abet, and aid the solemnisation of a same-sex marriage or union.” It also imposes a 10-year prison sentence on those who “directly or indirectly makes public show of same-sex amorous relationship” and anyone who “registers, operates, or participates in gay clubs, societies, and organisations,” including supporters of those groups.

CONVERSEER earlier reported that a hotel located in the Calabar metropolis hosted a gay “drag” party which lasted until night, with the majority of the attendees being teenagers.