Hakeem Odumosu, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, has ordered the prosecution of a 54-year-old man who attempted suicide.
Lagos Command spokesperson, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, said Akinlolu Ajayi attempted to jump off the Third Mainland Bridge into the lagoon last week.
In an instant, the anti-crime patrol team of the Bariga Police Division rescued him and took him into custody.
CP Odumosu warned that taking one’s own life is immoral and criminal, regardless of the challenges one faces.
“Such challenges are merely ephemeral,” he said.
Ajayi’s family was contacted for necessary action, while the State Criminal Investigation Department investigated and prosecuted him.
Section 327 of The Criminal Code Act recommends that anyone found guilty of attempting to end their life be imprisoned for one year.
Frank Mba, a spokesperson for Force, called on lawmakers two years ago to amend the laws to provide care for suicidal people.
“Rather than criminalising failed suicide attempts, relevant authorities should create support groups/lines to provide them with help, as truth be told, such victims do not need to be labelled, stigmatised, nor do they need to be given a jail sentence,” he said in a blog post.
It’s rare to see serious prosecution for attempted suicide, and no one has ever been convicted of it. Still, health professionals have been lobbying to eliminate the law criminalising the act.
