LSP089: Suicide and Attempted Suicide

Suicide and attempted suicide are crimes in Nigeria by virtue of its provisions in the Criminal Code. Section 326 of the Criminal Code states that anyone who aids another person to commit suicide is guilty of a felony and is liable to life imprisonment while Section 327 states that anyone who attempted suicide is guilty of a misdemeanor and is liable for an imprisonment of one year.

While the aforementioned provisions are clear and unambiguous, they appear not to be in sync with the realities of present-day Nigeria especially in relation to the crime of attempted suicide. 

No doubt, any sane person who attempts suicide is definitely going through serious life challenges. As such, rather than punitively commute such an individual to prison, it is suggested that he or she should be placed on compulsory counselling and made to do community service. With this, rehabilitation is within reach and possible. 

In conclusion, while we can only hope for a repeal of the Criminal Code, the law in Nigeria is that aiding someone to take his life or attempting to take your own life is a crime punishable by imprisonment.

Thank you for reading. See you next week