By Prince Eze
A self confessed gay, Mr Okoro Godwin Chinonso, has raised alarm over alleged threats to his life by his Umuduruochi kinsmen that banished him from their land for being a homosexual.
According to Okoro Godwin Chinonso: “I am a gay that sleeps with fellow gay and lady. On Thursday morning of September 1st 2022, I was caught making love with fellow gay at my Umuduruochi Villa in Orlu, Imo State, and consequently was manhandled by the vigilantes and taken to the Eze of our community who handed the banishment from my village to me for engaging in homosexuality, deemed as taboo that profaned their land.
“The vigilantes were mandated to arrest me and hand over to the Police if I ever venture to return to the village after the banishment. As 14 years imprisonment awaits me on conviction.
“In my exile at a neighbouring village, I met one Chief Emeka Obi, a Biafra restoration agitator, and after interacting with him, I was admitted into his group of youths fighting to maintain peace in Biafra land. In one of our meetings in Chief Emeka Obi’s house, soldiers invaded the house and started shooting. Some of our members were killed. I was, however, among those that managed to escape but the security agents are still hunting for us as wanted persons.
“I eventually found my way to Abuja and on September 30, 2022, I attended a vigil prayer of a Church; Good News Embassy, where I fervently prayed to God for a destiny helper to locate me at my dire point of need. Then, on the morning of Sunday, October 2nd 2022, I was at the Church service and intensified in my prayers, and as God would have it, after the service, one member of the Church who introduced herself as Mrs Amarachi, met with me and after inquiring about my person, said she would be of assistance even as she took me to her husband, Mr Chima. After narrating my plights and predicament, they decided to help save my life by way of leaving the country.
“Later I was taken to the Greece Embassy in Abuja for visa interview on October 25, 2022. Luckily, on 6th November, my Visa came out and I left Nigeria.”
Asked what he intended achieving by opening up on his plights. Okoro G. C. averred: “I want to thank God that answered my prayers at the point of need and also appreciate Mr and Mrs Chima who God used as my destiny helpers.
“Again, being a gay is my personal affair and my natives should not harm me for my right to associate with fellow gay”.
It will be recalled that most Africans in their cultural and religious belief system see homosexuality as a taboo and not a personal right of an individual.
