Image for illustration only. EXTRACT FROM THE TIDE NEWS - OPINION - 11 JANUARY 2008 The story of a 17-year-old boy in Ogbogoro who was suspected of being a gay appears to give credence to the preference for self-help. The minor who was said to have had sexual intercourse with his fellow boys in a boarding school is today no where to be found. The boy, who fled to unknown destination following a tip off that he was going to be lynched for desecrating his community in his homosexual acts, could have been killed without recourse to the law of the land. Again, the home of the minor was allegedly burnt in spite of the fact that he was living in his parents house. His grandfather, Mr Obi Onu, who was very fond of him has been so touched by the flight of the young boy, since September last year. The question that is being asked by all and sundry, is why would people recourse to jungle justice in a country, where the rule of law operates. There is no doubt that homosexuality is a morally reprehensible conduct. It is a taboo but the law may look at it differently. This is because law in not based on sentiment. Unfortunately, the community has been prone to unmitigated hostility among its inhabitants in recent times. Consequently it is most likely that this ugly incident would worsen the battered image the community has been battling to repair. |