Nigeria: Anti-Gay Mobs Turn Homosexuality Trials into Chaos

Two Islamic courts in the Nigerian city of Bauchi have been forced to suspend the trials of 13 men accused of homosexuality, following a wave of protests.

Demontsrators gathered outside one court and threw stones at the building, demanding summary trial and execution for the 10 defendants.

The police retaliated by using teargas in order to disperse the mob.

"We can't continue with the trial in view of the security breach we had during the last court session," registrar Unguwar Jaki told AFP.

"The court will have to suspend the trial pending the review of the security situation with relevant authorities to avoid a repeat of the mob action we saw last week," Jaki continued.

The same court had earlier convicted a man of homosexual offences and given him 20 lashes.

A separate trial of three suspects, held at another sharia court in the Tudun Alkali area of the city, was also put on hold.

"The trial has been suspended because of the stoning incident in the other court, which we are trying to avoid here", said judge Nuhu Mohammed Dumi, who then suggested the continuation of the trial in secret.

"The families of the three suspects... came to me requesting bail and I told them that it was in their interests to stay in prison because they risk losing their lives at the hands of an angry mob if they are released on bail," lawyer Suleiman Musa said.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has recently signed the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill 2013, or the so-called 'Jail the Gays' bill, which imposes prison sentences of up to 14 years on those found guilty of involvement in a gay marriage or civil union.

Anyone who registers, operates or takes part in gay organisations or makes a public show of a same-sex relationship will also be punishable to up to 10 years in prison.

The crackdown on homosexuals which has brought international criticism raining down on Nigeria has also spread to animals.

A woman from Lafia, central Nigeria, has disowned her own cat due to his "unnatural sexual behaviour".