The Police on Wednesday arraigned 53 persons before a Magistrates’ Court in Chediya-Zaria, Kaduna State for attending a gay marriage.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Mannir Nasir said the accused were arrested on April 15 at Zaria Motel.

Nasir said they were being charged for conspiracy, unlawful assembly and belonging to a gang of an unlawful society.

“On April 15, 2017, at about 2100 hours a team of policemen led by DSP Muhammad Lawal-Mashi arrested and brought to police station 53 persons.

“The arrested persons included Jibril Abdullahi, Sagir Abubakar, Anas Mohammed, Mustapha Abubakar, Musa Ibrahim and Suleiman Usman among others, all of various addresses.

“Information reached the police that these group of persons conspired to celebrate a gay marriage at Zaria Motel between one Faruk and Sanusi both at large,” the prosecutor said.

They however pleaded not guilty to the charges and asked the court to release them on bail.

Their counsel, Yunusa Umar lamented that the accused persons were detained in police custody for more than 24 hours contrary to the provisions of section 341 of CPC.

The Chief Magistrate, Auwal Musa-Aliyu, granted bail to the accused persons in the sum of N500,000 each, with one surety each in the like sum, who must be a blood relation to the accused.

The Chief Magistrate adjourned the case till May 8, for further hearing.

Azeez