Nigeria distances self from “gay partner” allegation against Swiss ambassador

The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has distanced itself from a report suggesting authorities of the West African country are investigating the Swiss Ambassdor to Nigeria for allegedly sneaking his gay partner into the country. 

Eric Mayooraz, the Swiss envoy, was alleged to have brought his same-sex spouse from Switzerland, violating Nigeria’s strong anti-homosexual laws.

Quoting foreign ministry sources, the papers reported that the Swiss embassy attempted to register his partner “as member of the Association of Spouses of Heads of Mission (ASOHOM) in Nigeria.”

But in a statement signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, the federal government said it had no knowledge of such affairs and could not have provided the details reported by the newspapers.

“The Government has learned with shock and dismay of a defamatory article in a Nigerian newspaper against the Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to Nigeria,” Mr. Onyeama said.
 
“I wish to state categorically that the government has no knowledge whatsoever of any of the matters discussed in the article and could therefore not have authorized anyone to speak on its behalf in respect of them.
 
“With regard to the defamatory article, the government has ordered an investigation and appropriate measures will be taken for any wrongdoing.
 
“It is to be emphasized that Nigeria and Switzerland enjoy very cordial relations,” Mr. Onyeama said.