Abuja (Sundiata Post) – A 27 years old man, Fidelis Eseigbe, a native of Idumebo community, Edo State, has fled his community after he was suspected of being a gay.
The event that led to his absconding his community started after his father’s death, and as the eldest son of his father, was required by custom to take over the priesthood of his family’s shrine. However, one of the criteria for being the priest of the shrine, is for Mr Fidelis to be married which he objected to.
His continuous refusal to consummate the arranged marriage, as required by the tradition of the family tradition, raised some suspicion as a result of which further investigations by the members of his family, led to his being suspected of being a gay, and based on this suspicion, he was denied the opportunity of being the priest of the shrine, and ever since, he has not been seen in the community.
Speaking with our reporter, Mr Oloje Eseigbe, Fidelis’ uncle, said; ‘…homosexuality is not only frowned at in my family and community as it is a taboo, it is also outlawed in Nigeria. Such a person cannot live amongst us. As a matter of fact, we have been on the look out for him since 2014; let him come and clear the air with respect to what he is being suspected of….’