The debate surrounding crossdressing and sexuality has been stirring conversations across social media platforms in Nigeria.
However, the Spokesman of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has firmly stated that there is no legal provision in Nigeria suggesting that individuals who engage in crossdressing should be subject to arrest.
In a recent appearance as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today, ACP Adejobi emphasized that the offenses for which individuals are typically apprehended are more aligned with natural offenses or crimes against nature.
He asserted that without substantial evidence, it’s unreasonable to detain someone merely for crossdressing, as it is not considered a crime under Nigerian law.
“I have not read anywhere that crossdressing is an offence in Nigeria…. Let us be reasonable, you cannot arrest somebody you want to prosecute without having credible evidence and as such, crossdressing is not yet a crime in Nigeria,” Adejobi stated.
He elaborated that often individuals who engage in crossdressing are accused of other offenses, and until concrete evidence is presented, they cannot be lawfully detained.
Adejobi stressed the necessity of substantial proof before prosecution, particularly for offenses considered natural offenses under Nigerian law.
“A bill seeking to amend the same-sex Marriage Prohibition Act (2013) and also outlaw cross-dressing in Nigeria was introduced for first reading at the House of Representatives in April 2022, but was pronounced dead on arrival by many.”
The introduction of a bill aimed at amending the same-sex Marriage Prohibition Act (2013) to criminalize cross-dressing attracted significant attention.
Sponsored by Honourable Muda Lawal Ulnar, the bill proposed penalties including a six-month imprisonment or a fine of N500,000 for individuals found guilty of cross-dressing, whether in private or public settings.
Referencing Section 4 of the same-sex Marriage Prohibition Act (2013), Honourable Muda Lawal Ulnar sought to expand the scope of the legislation to include prohibitions against cross-dressing.
However, the bill failed to progress past the first reading at the House of Representatives in December of the same year.
Deputy Speaker of the House at the time, Ahmed Wase, advised the sponsor to withdraw the bill, citing concerns that it did not adequately reflect the cultural diversity of Nigeria.
The bill’s failure to advance underscored the complexities surrounding legislative attempts to regulate issues such as cross-dressing in Nigeria’s dynamic socio-cultural landscape.
