Edited by Hannah Afolabi
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has stated his intention to reevaluate the legislation that criminalizes suicide attempts in Nigeria. This commitment was made during a meeting with representatives from the Asido Foundation, a non-governmental organization dedicated to advocating for mental health reforms.
The statement was released to the press in Abuja on Sunday by the Special Adviser to the President on Communications and Publicity, Office of the AGF, Kamarudeen Ogundele. Fagbemi emphasized that the well-being of the citizens is a top priority for President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He acknowledged the need to reassess the law, particularly in cases where individuals attempting suicide may not be in the right state of mind. Fagbemi emphasized the importance of showing compassion, providing treatment, and fostering a supportive environment to address such situations in society. However, he noted that any changes in the law would not be mandatory for the states and expressed his intent to discuss the matter with the Body of Attorneys General.
Fagbemi also pledged to address concerns related to the Mental Health Act with his colleagues at the Federal Ministry of Health. The founder of Asido, Dr. Jibril Abdulmalik, urged the AGF to reconsider the legal penalties for suicide attempts and follow through on the implementation of the Mental Health Act enacted by former President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2023. Abdulmalik highlighted the prevalence of mental illness, especially depression, among individuals who attempt suicide, suggesting that they are often driven by feelings of hopelessness. He emphasized the need for support and treatment rather than punishment and incarceration for such individuals, proposing that medical facilities are better equipped to handle such cases.
Abdulmalik also expressed concern about the strain faced by judicial officers due to excessive cases related to mental health issues that should be handled by healthcare providers.
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