Benue Assembly outlaws same sex marriage

Benue state House of Assembly yesterday passed a bill to prohibit a marriage contract or civil union entered into between persons of same sex in the state.
Cited as Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Law, 2018, the Bill was passed after a Clause by Clause consideration in the Committee of the whole chaired by the Speaker, Mr. Terkimbi Ikyange.
According to the bill, a marriage contract or civil union entered into between persons of Same Sex shall not be solemnised in a Church, Mosque or any other place of worship in the state.
The Bill also prohibit the registration of Gay Clubs, Societies and Organisations, their sustenance, procession and meeting as well as public show of same sex amorous relationship directly or indirectly.
“It stipulates that any person who enters into a same sex marriage contract or civil union commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of 14 years in prison.” Speaking after the third reading of the bill, Speaker, Ikyange said same sex union is alien to the culture and tradition of the state and as such needs to be prohibited