Ondo Police Arraign Cross-Dresser, Two Others Over Alleged Homosexual Acts

The Ondo State Police Command on Thursday arraigned a 23-year-old cross-dresser and content creator, Taiwo Austine, alongside two others, Haris Abubakar, 25, and Matthew Ogwu, 32, before an Akure Chief Magistrate’s Court over alleged involvement in homosexuality. The three defendants are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy and engaging in acts described by the prosecution as unnatural.

According to the prosecutor, Inspector Abayomi Jejeniwa, the accused were arrested in Akure last month following investigations that allegedly linked them to homosexual activities between April 15 and 17. The charge sheet stated that Austine, Abubakar, Ogwu, and another suspect still at large conspired to commit the offence, with Austine and Abubakar accused of engaging in homosexual acts, while Ogwu was charged with attempting such an act.

The prosecution said the offences violate Sections 516, 214, and 215 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006, which prescribe penalties for such conduct. All three defendants pleaded not guilty.

Inspector Jejeniwa requested a trial date to present two witnesses and prepare his case. Defence counsel A.W. Lawoye applied for bail on liberal terms, noting that the allegations had not been proven. Magistrate B.A. Alphonso adjourned the case to August 11 for bail consideration and ordered the defendants to remain in police custody until then.