A Nigerian court has released on bond 69 persons who were arrested last month in connection with an alleged gay wedding, which is banned in the nation.
Homosexuality is usually regarded as immoral in Nigeria, as it is in most of Africa, on cultural and religious grounds, and the country enacted an anti-gay law in 2014 despite worldwide outcry.
According to lawyer Ochuko Ohimor, a southern oil-producing Delta state court ordered that the defendants be released from prison after posting 500,000 naira ($645) bail apiece.
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According to Ohimor, the suspects who did not appear in court were ordered to sign a register at the court in Warri town once a month until their next hearing.
"They are to provide sureties, who will submit their particulars to the court. So, the 69 suspects have been granted bail and I am processing their paperwork," Ohimor said.
Although state prosecutors opposed bail, the court concluded that the suspects should be released because they were not charged with a capital offense, according to Ohimor.
State prosecutors could not be reached for comment immediately.
The anti-gay law in Africa's most populous country includes a prison sentence of up to 14 years for anyone convicted and prohibitions on homosexual marriage, same-sex partnerships, and participation in LGBT rights organizations.
