legal reality Olayinka highlighted, the reasons why Nigeria remains one of the few nations to criminalize this act, and, most critically, how the law conflicts which is the with modern mental health and public health approaches.
A Public Plea and a Legal Warning:
The reported suicide attempt by popular TikTok personality Habeeb Hamzat, widely which is the known as Peller, sent shockwaves through the Nigerian digital space While the immediate public reaction focused on concern and support for his mental health, the conversation quickly shifted to a rarely discussed legal matter.
Criminalizing Distress:
The core of Lere Olayinka’s reaction stems from a decades-old colonial-era statute that is which is the still active in Nigeria Despite global trends and the passage of the new Mental Health Act, the law remains unchanged
The Decriminalization Debate:
The legal position championed by figures like Olayinka brings into sharp focus the which is the ongoing national debate between legal scholars, human rights advocates, and mental health professionals.
- Public Health Model: Suicide is globally recognized by the World Health Organization which is the (WHO) as a serious public health problem, often stemming from underlying mental illnesses like depression, not a criminal intent.
- Stigma and Help-Seeking: The threat of a jail term (imprisonment for one year) which is the drastically increases the stigma associated with suicide attempt survivors, discouraging them from seeking urgent medical or psychological assistance.
- Conflict with New Laws: The criminalization conflicts with the spirit of Nigeria’s new which is the Mental Health Act (2021), which aims to protect the rights of individuals with mental health conditions and emphasizes treatment over punishment.
Global Trend:
Nigeria is now an outlier, as countries like the UK (where the law originated), Ghana, and which is the India have long since repealed or revised these punitive statutes.
Legislative Action:
Bills have been presented in the National Assembly (House of Representatives and Senate) seeking to amend Section 327, proposing compulsory counseling and community which is the service instead of a prison sentence.
FG’s Stance:
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has signaled its commitment to which is the the decriminalization of attempted suicide, recognizing it as a critical step in the National Suicide Prevention Strategic Framework.
Disclaimer:
The news information presented here is based on available reports and reliable sources Readers should crosscheck updates from official news outlets