In less than 24 hours after the arrest of over 150 suspected gays at a same-sex wedding in Delta State, the spokesperson of the Delta State Police Command, DSP Bright Edafe, has revealed that popular crossdressers, Bobrisky and James Brown can’t be arrested because crossdressing is not illegal in Nigeria.
DSP Edafe was responding to a comment on Twitter by controversial socialite, Daniel Regha who asked why the police would ignore other crossdressers like Bobrisky and James Brown who are like mentors to the arrested suspects.
Idannews reports that the Police Command on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, paraded some suspects arrested at a same-sex wedding held in a hotel in Warri.
However, Daniel Regha while condemning the arrest of the suspects Tweeted, “Bobrisky, James Brown, Eni & others who champion cross-dressing are still walking free; Until these people are prosecuted, many will continue to emulate. Arresting 100 cross-dressers in Delta is one thing, but why ignore their mentors? The police should make an example of ’em.”
In response to the tweet, DSP Edafe; “Daniel, get your facts right, they were not arrested for cross-dressing, they were arrested for conducting and attending a gay wedding ceremony. Bring a part of the law that stipulates punishment for cross-dressing or categorize it as an offense.”
See screenshots below:
Meanwhile, a Nigerian-British based pastor and Founder, House of Rainbow has condemned the police for carrying out such action against the suspects arrested at the same-sex wedding.
According to the pastor by the name, Jide Rebirth Macaulay, the incident highlights the restrictions on gatherings and social interactions for queer individuals in Nigeria, prompting concerns about the increasing challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community.