By Our Correspondent
Mrs. Victoria Adewale, mother of Mrs. Oluwatosin Roseline Ogunmolu, has raised concerns over the safety of her daughter, alleging that the Nigerian police are pursuing and persecuting her daughter over her alleged sexual orientation and association with the LGBTQ community.
Speaking with Our Correspondent, Mrs. Adewale narrated that the issue reportedly began in February 2025 following the arrest of some women during a Valentine’s Day gathering held at the NUJ Press Centre Guest House in Ibadan, Oyo State.
According to Mrs Victoria Adewale, information gathered by the family indicated that police operatives were alerted after some of the women at the gathering allegedly engaged in acts considered inappropriate within the premises of the guest house.
She stated that two women identified as Temitope and Folasade were reportedly arrested during the police operation, while others escaped.
Mrs. Adewale further disclosed that during investigations, police allegedly recovered personal information from one of the suspects’ mobile phones, including private messages and financial transaction records allegedly linking her daughter to one of the arrested women.
She claimed that on February 20, 2025, police officers visited the family house in Lagos to inform them that Oluwatosin was being sought in connection with allegations of same-sex relationships and membership of the LGBTQ community, which remains criminalised under Nigerian law.
According to the distraught mother, the development came as a shock to the family.
“My husband and I were surprised when the police came to our residence. We told them our daughter was already in Canada, but despite that, they kept returning and insisted we must inform them whenever she comes back to Nigeria,” she said.
Mrs. Adewale also alleged that police later contacted her daughter’s in-laws and them for questioning over claims that my daughter’s husband might have had prior knowledge of my daughter’s sexuality and activities.
She said the situation initially caused serious tension in the marriage, as Oluwatosin’s husband reportedly knew nothing about the allegations until the police invitation was delivered to his family.
According to her, although the husband feel highly disappointed, at first, the couple had gradually begun reconciling and trying to heal from the emotional impact of the development.
The mother further stated that both families have since advised the couple against returning to Nigeria due to fears of possible arrest and prosecution.
She added that the family later learnt that the women arrested during the Ibadan incident had already been charged to court in March 2025.
Mrs. Adewale disclosed that the family subsequently engaged the services of a lawyer, Barrister Olasupo Bada, in May 2025 to represent and protect their daughter’s interests at the police level.
According to her, the lawyer allegedly advised that Oluwatosin should remain outside Nigeria because authorities reportedly possess enough evidence to arrest and prosecute her if she returns.
She noted that the matter had placed the family under emotional strain and public embarrassment, describing the stigma attached to same-sex relationships in Nigeria as severe.
“The situation has brought fear, shame, and emotional trauma to the family. We are deeply worried about our daughter’s safety and future,” she said.
Mrs. Adewale maintained that her daughter and her husband have now resolved to remain in Canada while seeking legal and psychological support, insisting that returning to Nigeria could expose her and her husband to arrest, prosecution, and further danger.
