As the conversation around Nigeria’s strict laws concerning same-sex relationships continues to fuel both national and international debates, the case of popular social media influencer Okuneye Idris, popularly known as Bobrisky, has resurfaced with renewed intensity. Bobrisky, who has become synonymous with gender-bending fashion, lifestyle content, and controversy, now faces a serious legal threat from a security consultant and interim national leader of the #EndbadgovernanceinNigeria Movement, Faruq Muhammad.
Faru
q Muhammad, based in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has launched a petition against Bobrisky, accusing him of violating the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act (SSMPA), a 2014 law that criminalizes not only same-sex marriages but also any public display of affection between same-sex couples in Nigeria. In a stern statement, Muhammad expressed his frustration with the police, particularly the Lagos State Command, which he claims has not followed up on a directive from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to investigate Bobrisky. He alleges that despite the order being issued several months ago, the Lagos police have failed to carry out any substantial action.
Muhammad’s petition outlines two specific video clips posted by Bobrisky on his verified Facebook account, alleging that these videos depict explicit content promoting homosexual acts. These posts, according to the petition, violate Nigerian law, which strictly prohibits same-sex relations. Faruq Muhammad, in his public statements, has positioned himself as a patriotic figure, committed to upholding the country’s legal and moral values, even at the risk of personal cost.
In the petition addressed to IGP Kayode Egbetokun, Muhammad lamented that the police’s apparent reluctance to take decisive action against Bobrisky could have far-reaching implications. He believes that Bobrisky’s fame and influence may be shielding him from facing the consequences of his actions, thereby mocking Nigeria’s legal system. “I took action against Bobrisky to save Nigeria from God’s calamity,” Muhammad said. His fears seem rooted in a broader cultural and religious standpoint, which sees homosexuality as an affront to both law and morality.
He further decried that on September 4, 2024, Bobrisky was invited by the Lagos State Command, detained, and subsequently granted bail without the public being adequately informed, including Muhammad himself as the petitioner. He suggested that something “suspicious and dubious” had taken place to silence the case, hinting at a possible conspiracy to protect Bobrisky from prosecution. “If this happens, it will mean that a historical betrayal has been committed against the Nigerian state,” he warned.
Muhammad’s petition is underscored by his extensive experience providing intelligence to Nigeria’s security forces. He claimed to have received commendations from top-ranking officials, including the Senate President and the IGP. His petition is framed as a continuation of his patriotic duty, defending Nigerian law against those who, in his view, openly flout it.
Bobrisky, a figure who has become the face of LGBTQ+ conversations in Nigeria, has consistently pushed boundaries in a country where strict traditional and religious norms remain the status quo. His recent posts have reignited the debate on freedom of expression, LGBTQ+ rights, and the role of social media in promoting alternative lifestyles that challenge established norms.
Should the police or any other security agency move forward with a trial, Bobrisky could potentially face severe legal consequences, as the SSMPA carries penalties ranging from 10 to 14 years in prison for those convicted of promoting or engaging in same-sex relations. However, with the security consultant’s accusations of police inaction, the case may also expose the complexities of law enforcement in cases involving high-profile figures.
The ongoing saga between Bobrisky and Faruq Muhammad reflects a broader conversation about Nigeria’s evolving social landscape, where cultural, religious, and legal frameworks are often at odds with the changing realities brought on by globalization and social media. As Muhammad threatens to go to any length to see Bobrisky prosecuted, the case promises to further polarize opinion, with the outcome potentially reshaping how Nigerian society and law treat its most controversial influencers
For now, all eyes remain on the Lagos State Police Command and the IGP’s office, as Nigerians wait to see whether this legal battle will escalate or fade into the background.
