SUICIDE:IS IT LEGAL FOR ONE TO TAKE HIS LIFE?
Various cases of suicide have been recorded over the few weeks as Nigerians have imbibed the habit of jumping from the famous third main land bridge into the Lagos lagoon. The question that comes to mind is if it is right under the law for one to take his life.
Firstly, what is suicide? Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one’s own death. It can also be defined as when one takes his own life. Now that we know what suicide it, it is time to know the position of the law on suicide
Nigeria inherited most of her laws from industrialized countries. These countries have their laws on attempted suicide, though majority of them have decriminalized attempted suicide. In the USA for example, there is currently no law against committing suicide. However, attempted suicide can be a common law crime unless it can be proved that the victim is a person of unsound mind. In Australia, suicide is not a crime. However, it would be regarded as a crime if a suicide pact was made and a party survived. The party that survived could be charged with manslaughter. In England, the suicide act was enacted in 1961 and it decriminalized suicide. However, it was stated in the act that it is a crime to assist one to commit suicide. Majority of these developed countries do not tag suicide to be illegal.
In Nigeria, suicide is an offence pursuant to section 327 of the Criminal Code. It is provided in that section that “Any person who attempts to kill himself is guilty of a misdemeanor and is liable to imprisonment for 1 year”. Therefore, anyone that attempts suicide in Nigeria is a criminal. This law is only possible when a suicide attempter fails in his suicide attempt as it would be impossible to punish a person that was successful in his suicide attempt. Nigeria remains among the few countries that criminalizes suicide
WORDS OF EXHORTATION: Studies have shown that the major reason why people commit suicide is depression. Committing suicide would not solve anything as it would make things worse, especially for your family. Please do know that there are many people looking up to you. What would become of them when you kill yourself? Put yourself in their shoes and think about how they would feel when you are gone. If you are depressed, you can consult a guidance counselor. Problems shared are half solved. Suicide is not an option, stand against it. Your life is precious.