the Nigeria Police have declared that crossdressing does not constitute a criminal offense under the nation’s legal framework. This announcement came from ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Police Public Relations Officer, during an appearance on the widely-viewed Channels TV program, “Politics Today.”
ACP Adejobi elaborated on the nuanced stance of the police, acknowledging public concerns over allegations linking crossdressing to homosexuality—a subject that remains contentious and criminalized in Nigeria. However, he emphasized the force’s commitment to the rule of law, stating that without substantial evidence, the police are not in a position to initiate legal proceedings against individuals solely based on their appearance or gender expression. He said
“There are some cases that are always difficult to follow. I’m not ruling out the fact that we have many crossdressers.
“But for instance, if you want to prove a case of rape, rape has points to prove. If any one of those points is missing you would lose your case in court.
“Let’s be reasonable, you can arrest somebody you want to persecute without having any credible evidence.
“Crossdressing is not a crime in Nigeria, I’ve not read it anywhere that it is an offence per se. But some of them that are into crossdressing, there are allegations that they are into something else, unnatural offences.
“That is where the problem lies, we need to have enough proof, credible evidence, then we can prosecute them because all those offences are natural offences in Nigeria and punishable under our law.”
Crossdressers were free to dress any way they want but if there was enough proof that they were into“something else” they would face the full wrath of the law.