Leo Igwe

Humanist and human rights activist Leo Igwe has been arrested in Nigeria. Mr Igwe has been a staunch defender of the country's LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community.

Mr Igwe and members of his family have been subjected to a sustained campaign of harassment by local police involving multiple arrests on unsubstantiated charges since 2007. Most recently, Leo Igwe and his father, Oliver Igwe, were arrested on Tuesday, January 5.

The latest campaign of harassment against the Igwe family is a consequence of Mr Igwe's attempt to bring to justice a powerful man in the area who allegedly raped a ten year old girl. Leo Igwe's father, who is a 77 year old diabetic in failing health, has been arrested six times on false charges since 2007. Two of Leo's brothers have been detained three times each in connection with the same case.

Mr Igwe is the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Humanist Movement and has made a staunch public defence of LGBT rights. In 2006 he made an impassioned appeal to members of the Nigerian National Assembly not to pass a Bill that would not only criminalise gay marriage, but also impose a five-year jail sentence on anyone who has a gay relationship or anyone who aids or supports a gay marriage or relationship. The Bill had the blessing of the Nigerian Anglican Church and its leader Archbishop Peter Akinola, as well as the Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo who declared that homosexual practice "is clearly unBiblical, unnatural and definitely unAfrican."

In 2008 Mr Igwe and his humanist colleagues were awarded the Rainbow Humanist Award by Nordic Rainbow Humanists "for their courageous defence of LGBT rights and dignity in the face of ferocious attacks from homophobic Nigerian politicians."

George Broadhead of gay humanist charity the PTT (Pink Triangle Trust) said:
"We are very concerned about Leo. He is fearless and selfless in fighting for justice for LGBT people. Like the UK's Peter Tatchell, he is never afraid to challenge the powerful even when he is a lone voice and knows that the powerful may hurt him. It is up to his fellow Humanists and others concerned with human rights to show that he does not stand alone and work together to ensure justice for him."

The PTT has sent a letter of protest to the Nigerian High Commissioner in the UK Dr Dalhatu Sarki Tafida.

For more information about the Trust view:
www.pinktriangle.org.uk