Nigerians president signs law imposing up to 14 years jail for gay relationship

"Beyond even prohibiting same sex marriage, this law is dangerously restricts freedom of assembly... and expression for all Nigerians,"he said in a statement.

  Nigerians president Goodluck Jonathan signed a bill on Monday that criminalizes same-sex relationships,defying western pressure over gay right and provoking US criticism.

  The bill,which contains penalties of up to 14years in prison and bans gay marriage,same-sex "amorous relationships" and membership of gay rights groups,was passed by the national assembly last May but Jonathan had delayed signing it into law.
  A presidential spokesmen told Reuters he had now done so. As in much of sub-Saharan Africa,anti-gay sentiment and persecution of homosexuals is rife in Nigeria, so the new legislation is likely to be popular. Jonathan is expected to seek re-election in 2015 but is under pressure after several dozen lawmakers and a handful of regional governors defected to the opposition in the past two months. under existing Nigeria federal law,sodomy is punishable by jail, but this bill legislates for a much broader crackdown on homosexual people,who live a largely underground existence.