Nigerian Actor and Social Media Influencer Comes Out (Again); Claims Earlier Arrest
Uche Maduagwu, a popular Nigerian actor and social media influencer, came out as gay in an emotional Instagram post this past week. But this wasn't the first time he has done so.
He also used the post to condemn the death sentences of three men by stoning for being gay, which included a 70-year-old, reports Pink News.
"The Instagram post shared on 4 July was accompanied by a photo of Maduagwu and words that said: 'I was born gay. I am still gay. I will forever remain gay. The government cannot tell us how to live our lives in Nigeria.' "
He subsequently deleted the post.
But in it, he condemned the death sentences of the three men convicted of homosexual acts and executed by stoning. "What is happening in the North especially Bauchi is so unfair and wrong. No single pastor speak out against Sharia erroneous undemocratic laws, why?"
He also made an impassioned plea to U.S. president Joseph Biden. "Dear President Joe Biden, we need the US government to sanction President Buhari and his top advisers over ignoring the Fundamental Human rights of�#LGBT�in Nigeria, just few days ago, a Sharia court sentence #Gay men to be STONED, is this our country a Democracy or #Banana Republic?
"Yet, our President and his CORRUPT ministers kept quiet, he keeps traveling to different developed countries like KUNU Mosquito, yet he never borrow wisdom from these countries RESPECT for Human Right.
"The same set of people who gives judgment for Gay people to be STONED are the same that takes laws into their hands all in the name of Christian blasphemy on Mohammed, when will this madness stop?"
Pink News adds that in another IG post (also deleted) Maduagwu claimed he was arrested "by security personnel because I came out as gay".
The latest post isn't the first time Maduagwu had come out. He had "jokingly" come out in 2021, saying that he was "proudly gay" — but then he claimed that he had lied in order to support the community.
Pink News writes that after the 2021 post, "movie studios severed ties with him and his girlfriend left him. He also lost acting gigs and endorsement deals as a result."
He said at the time: "[Oh, my God], even my girlfriend left me despite knowing I was fighting for LGBT right in Naija but I no regret using my celebrity status to fighting for this beautiful community."
Homosexuality is illegal in Nigeria. Those arrested can face up to 14 years in prison and execution.