Abuja — The absence of principal witnesses has again stalled the trial of 18 suspected homosexuals in Bauchi. The suspects had earlier appeared before a Bauchi Shari'ah Court for sodomy and attempted gay marriage on July 26.

They were later charged with belonging to an illegal society, indecent act, criminal conspiracy and idleness.

They were initially refused bail, but subsequently granted bail after the charges of sodomy and attempted gay marriage were replaced with the fresh charges.

At the resumed hearing of the case on Friday in Bauchi, the state counsel, Alhaji Abubakar Bin-Idris, wanted the case adjourned because of the absence of the three principal witnesses.

Bin-Idris told the court that the witnesses could not be produced in court because they had travelled to Saudi Arabia for Hajj.

The defence counsel, Mr Ralph Monye, said he had no objection to the adjournment, but urged the court to compel the prosecution to present the witnesses on the adjourned date.

The judge, Malam Umar Barde, granted the prayer and adjourned the case to February13, 2008 for hearing.