The Ondo State Police Command on Thursday arraigned a 23-year-old cross-dresser and content creator, Taiwo Austine, before an Akure Chief Magistrate’s Court over alleged involvement in homosexual activities.
Austine appeared in court alongside two other defendants — Haris Abubakar, 25, and Matthew Ogwu, 32 — on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy and homosexuality.
Prosecutor, Inspector Abayomi Jejeniwa, told the court that the defendants, along with others still at large, were arrested in Akure last month following investigations that allegedly linked them to homosexual acts. He further alleged that between April 15 and 17, 2025, the accused engaged in conduct described as “unnatural for human beings.”
According to the charge sheet, the trio conspired to commit a felony — homosexuality — contrary to Sections 516, 214, and 215 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006. Ogwu was also accused of attempting to engage in such an act.
The defendants pleaded not guilty.
Following the plea, the prosecutor requested a trial date to enable him to present two witnesses and prepare his case. Defence counsel, A.W. Lawoye, applied for bail on liberal terms, arguing that the allegations had yet to be proven.
Magistrate B.A. Alphonso adjourned the case to August 11 for bail consideration and ordered that the defendants remain in police custody until then.