Crossdressing Not A Crime In Nigeria – Olajengbesi

The Managing Partner, Law Corridor, Abuja, Pelumi Olajengbesi has said that there is no provision in the law suggesting that crossdressers in Nigeria should be arrested.

Pelumi Olajengbesi is an Abuja-based Nigerian lawyer, columnist, human rights activist and arbitrator.

He is the current Convener of the Coalition of Public Interests Lawyers and Advocates (COPA) in Nigeria.

Amid some debates all over social media involving crossdressing and sexuality, the Olajengbesi said the crime for which people get arrested has more to do with natural offences or crimes against nature.

Speaking on his verified social media platform, Olajengbesi noted that Cross-dressing is not a crime under Nigerian law as of today.

He said, “Dressing like another sex and even identifying as the same is not ipso facto a crime under Nigerian Law. What exactly is a crime in Nigeria is the marriage of same-sex couples or registering a gay club”.

He added that even when an individual is married as gay in the United Kingdom and his gay partner is living in Nigeria, such marriage is only invalid and unenforceable in Nigeria but not a crime, except when they come and live together in Nigeria as a married couple.

“Therefore, your knowledge that a person is gay does not amount to a crime as such people also have their fundamental rights in law. The only offence in law is marriage sex which must be proved by partners conducting the marriage or living together”.

“However, a person who openly states in public that he or she is into homosexuality may only at best be arrested for corrupting public morality, which can be contended as subjective”.

“Again, just advice, observation, and pointer to better help us learn and understand the operation of our laws”.

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